Rafael Mentzingen is a 30-year-old central midfielder at North Carolina, enjoying a standout season — 3 goals and 1 assists in 16 appearances, a Season grade of 23, top 2% of USL Championship central midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 18.7, ranking 186th of 272 in the USL Championship. An experienced operator, he has been a rotation option (49% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.36 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Mentzingen.

Judged on this season alone, Mentzingen graded 23 — a standout campaign that ranks top 2% of the 65 central midfielders in the USL Championship, on 3 goals, 1 assist and 2.36 defensive actions per 90.

We hold a single season for Mentzingen, so there's no year-on-year comparison to draw yet — the read above is this campaign only.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 19, 44th of 65 of the 65 central midfielders in the USL Championship. At 30 Mentzingen is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 1.9 reflects that trajectory.

Current potential44th of 65 central midfielders · USL Championship Current seasonTop 2% central midfielders · USL Championship1st-best central midfielder in the USL Championship186th in the USL Championship · potential44th-highest potential central midfielder in the USL Championship

18.7

Ratingi

44th of 65 central midfielders

22.6

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

49%

Minutes

rotation minutes

2.36

Def. actions / 90

moderate defensive volume

Output in context · North Carolina finished 6th of 12 · a mid-table side

2.36

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

2.36 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 4 clean sheets across 16 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 3 goals and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.26 goal involvements per 90, useful for a central midfielder.

Watch points

Game time. Only 49% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 18.7, Mentzingen carries the 44th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the USL Championship of 65. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.36 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1× now → 0.7× projected in three years).

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

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %49%

Available fixtures32 of 32

Goals / 900.191

Assists / 900.064

Goal contribution / 900.255

Defensive actions / 902.36

Player flow

Goal involvements4

Shot conversion %33.3

Shot accuracy %32.1

Pass accuracy %72

Cards / 900.255

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~4), then tapers with age. At 30, Mentzingen sits on 1.9, past its peak and easing. The blue line is Mentzingen's projected Rating — 18.7 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.