ratings updated 7 Sept 2026
Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · St. Louis City.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Major League Soccer | 13 | 1 | 1 | 949 | 6.72 |
Scout report
Rafael Santos is a 28-year-old central midfielder at St. Louis City, rated 29.4 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 348th of 525 on scout potential in the Major League Soccer. An experienced operator, he has been a rotation option this season (44.5% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.02 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Santos.
Judged on this season alone, Santos graded 16 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 58th of 89 of the 89 central midfielders in the Major League Soccer, on 1 goal, 1 assist and 2.022 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 11 → 16). Over the 5 seasons on record his form has trended upward, peaking in 2023/24.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 29, 65th of 89 of the 89 central midfielders in the Major League Soccer. At 28 Santos is in his prime years, and a market index of 3.3 reflects that trajectory.
Past his 2023/24 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.
Output in context · St. Louis City finished 2nd of 15 · a title-challenging side
2.02 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 2 clean sheets across 18 appearances. Behind a title-challenging side (2nd of 15) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.15 goal involvements per 90, useful for a central midfielder.
Watch points
- Game time. Only 44.5% 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 29.4, Santos carries the 65th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the Major League Soccer of 89. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.02 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.2× now → 0.9× projected in three years).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Season statistics
Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the Major League Soccer with 600+ minutes this season.
Shooting
Passing
Possession
Defending
Yellow/red cards
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
