Market values MLS: Ricardo Pepi up by 220% - Carlos Vela drops again

Just two days after Decision Day and the conclusion of the regular season, Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 777 Major League Soccer players. Among the biggest winners are once again young North Americans like FC Dallas forward Ricardo Pepi, San Jose Earthquakes striker Cade Cowell, D.C. United wing-back Kevin Paredes and New England Revolution winger Tajon Buchanan.

Pepi is the most in-demand name among the player updated. The 18-year-old FC Dallas was his club's top goalscorer this season with 13 goals and two assists. The forward has also scored three goals in four games for the United States. Pepi is heavily linked with a winter transfer—VfL Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, and Ajax are interested—and as a result, his market value is going up by 220% to now $8.8 million. Pepi's new market value ranks him just outside the top 10 most valuable players born in 2003. 

Cowell, in the meantime, had a great start to the season but then his productivity somewhat slowed down. "I just started off so well, and then it just ended like that," the San Jose Earthquakes striker said in an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt. "The hardest thing was that I had to work even harder and get more results, and it took me a while to get back into a positive mindset." Cowell, however, has unique attributes and is heavily scouted by European teams and, as a result, his market value improves from $2.75 million to $5.5 million. 

Unfortunately, both strikers will not feature in the MLS Cup Playoffs. which will start later this month. The same is true for Kevin Paredes. The D.C. United wing-back missed out on the playoffs on the last day of the season. It remains to be seen whether he returns next season. Scouted by Red Bull Salzburg, D.C. United could fetch a nice transfer fee for the 18-year-old whose market value has improved by 300% to now $4.4 million. 

Buchanan once again up - New England Revolution star now in the top 5

Another star that is headed to Europe in the winter is once again seeing his market value improve. Buchanan was one of the top players at the New England Revolution, who won the Supporters' Shield with a record 73 points. The Canadian winger has scored eight goals and six assists for New England, who will be the favorites to win the MLS Cup. Once the season is concluded Buchanan will join Club Brugge in a deal worth $7 million, plus $3 million in bonuses. As a result, Buchanan's market value will increase to $8.8 million, which makes him the joint third most valuable player in MLS. 

Buchanan spearheads a group of New England players that have seen their market value improve in the recent update. Playmaker Carles Gil (from +$2.2m to $7.7m) and strikers Adam Buksa (+$2.75m to $7.7m) are also on the up. Buksa scored 16 goals and four assists and although he is currently out with a foot injury the forward is expected to return just in time for the post-season. 

One club that just squeezed into the post-season are the Vancouver Whitecaps. Their success will be synonymous with three names. Head coach Vanni Sartini, forward Brian White, and playmaker Ryan Gauld. White and Gauld developed an uncanny relationship down the stretch and it was no coincidence that the two combined for the goal in the 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders that secured the 'Caps their first playoff spot since 2017. 

Gauld was signed from the Portuguese side Farense this summer and has since scored four goals and five assists. A typical playmaker, Gauld's market value improves to $7.15 million, enough to feature in the top 25 of the most valuable players in the league. US striker White, in the meantime, sees his market value improve by 200% from $1.1 million to $3.3 million. 

Cavallini, Carlos Vela, Higuaín & Co.: The biggest market value losers in MLS

Another Vancouver Whitecaps striker, however, has dropped. Signed for a record $5 million from Mexican side Puebla FC Lucas Cavallini has scored just nine goals in 39 games—in comparison White has scored 12 goals and 6 assists this season alone. Consequently, Cavallini's market value drops by 33% from $4.95 million to $3.3 million. 

Cavallini is not the only club-record signing arrival from Liga MX to struggle in MLS. Inter Miami CF record signing Rodolfo Pizarro once again sees his market value drop after the David Beckham-owned club missed out on the playoffs. A candidate to be sold this winter, the Mexican national team players sees his market value drop from $7.7 million to $5.5 million. 

Pizarro is in good company, however. For the longest time Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela was the biggest star in the league. The 32-year-old is showing his age, however, and scored just five goals and five assists in 20 games this season. LAFC missed the playoffs and Vela drops from $8.8 million to $5.5 million his lowest market value since February 2012. 

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees. 

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).