Field Insider

Nkosi Tafari

Project playerLos Angeles FC · 29 yrsRotation

Profile

Full nameNkosi Tafari Burgess
PositionCentre-back
NationalityUSA
Age29
Date of birth23 Mar 1997
BirthplaceManhattan
Height193 cm
Shirt number#91
ClubLos Angeles FC
Centre-back
23
Appearances
0
Goals
1
Assists
1827
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Los Angeles FC.

Performance data · by competition

CompetitionAppsGAMinMatch
Major League Soccer150112326.95
CONCACAF Champions League8207206.94

Scout report

Project playerCentral defender

N. Tafari is a 29-year-old central defender at Los Angeles FC, enjoying a standout season — 0 goals and 1 assists in 23 appearances, a Season grade of 42, top 6% of Major League Soccer centre-backs. On long-term scout potential he's rated 29.2, ranking 318th of 492 in the Major League Soccer. An experienced operator, he has been a regular starter (72.5% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.91 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Tafari.

Judged on this season alone, Tafari graded 42 — an excellent campaign that ranks top 6% of the 126 centre-backs in the Major League Soccer, on 9 clean sheets and 2.906 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 31 → 42). Across the 6 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 29, 79th of 126 of the 126 centre-backs in the Major League Soccer. At 29 Tafari is in his prime years, and a market index of 5 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

A career still climbing — Tafari is at his peak right now, and the curve hasn't flattened.

Peak: 2026/27Trending upBreakout: 2026/27
29.2
Ratingi
79th of 126 centre-backs
42.1
Seasoni
developing / rotation level
72.5%
Minutes
a regular starter
2.91
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Los Angeles FC finished 6th of 15 · a mid-table side

23
Apps
2.91
Def. / 90
16
Tackles
19
Interceptions
9
Clean sheets

2.91 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 9 clean sheets across 23 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 0 goals and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Availability. On the pitch for 72.5% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.

Watch points

  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 29.2, Tafari carries the 79th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the Major League Soccer of 126. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.91 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.1× now → 0.8× projected in three years).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the Major League Soccer with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals0
Shots on target2
Shots14

Passing

Assists1
Chances created5
Passes1,071
Pass accuracy90%

Possession

Successful dribbles4
Dribble success66.7%
Duels won51
Duels won %58%
Fouls won6

Defending

Tackles16
Interceptions19
Blocks24
Fouls committed9
Penalties conceded1

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards3
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.