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Most Improved U21 defenders in Major League Soccer 2026

The most improved U21 defenders in Major League Soccer in 2026, ranked on Field Insider.

Most improved goalkeepers in Major League SoccerMost improved midfielders in Major League SoccerMost improved attackers in Major League SoccerBest defenders in Major League SoccerMost in-form defenders in Major League SoccerTop-scoring defenders in Major League Soccer

At a glance

M. Dos Santos of New York Red Bulls is the standout for raw talent across U21 defenders in Major League Soccer, with a Field Insider Rating of 49.6, and T. Johnson has been the form player this season, grading 46.6, and Neil Pierre leads the scoring with 4 goals.

The numbers a scout watches are the year-on-year jumps: O. Verhoeven has improved his Season rating most, up +24 on last season. Those are the players whose trajectory is bending upward fastest.

By our market-value index, T. Johnson of Vancouver Whitecaps is the most valuable name in this group at 13.5.

Best talent
M. Dos Santos49.6RTG
New York Red Bulls
In form
T. Johnson46.6SsN
Vancouver Whitecaps
Rising potential
O. Verhoeven+6.6RTG
San Diego · 24/25→25/26
Most improved
O. Verhoeven+24SsN
San Diego · 24/25→25/26
Top scorer
Neil Pierre4goals
Philadelphia Union
Most valuable
T. Johnson13.5val
Vancouver Whitecaps
3 players · ranked by most improvedCustomise →
PlayerTeam
1O. VerhoevenCentre-backSan Diego20+24
24/25→25/26
26130.7%456.2%
2R. Baker-WhitingFull-backNashville SC21+13.3
24/25→25/26
21165.8%448.9%
3E. BáezFull-backAtlanta United FC21-12
24/25→25/26
1676.6%4818%