IFA New England's Owen Fadden was one of the top defensive standouts at MLS Next Fest. (IFA New England).
INDIO, Calif. — Defenders are often the unsung heroes of a soccer team. They do the dirty work and don’t typically receive the notoriety of a top-end goal scorer.
However, a good defender is critical to team success, especially at center-back. At MLS Next Fest, several Class of 2026 defenders from New England shined in the desert. These players caught my attention with their size, strength and athleticism. They also excelled at stopping runs and building from the back.
Three of the six players mentioned helped their teams allow one or fewer goals at the event. Two players on this list also represented the East Team in the U-17 Best of Match
Here’s more on six Class of 2026 standout defenders from MLS Next Fest.
