The assessment of our YNT system’s best players at every position continues. And today, it’s the defenders’ turn.

The U.S. defender pool is perhaps a bit shallower than it’s been in recent years, but the talent at the top is as potent as it’s ever been. There are more top quality players making inroads on professional contracts before their U20 years than at any point in U.S. history, a sure sign MLS is beginning to slowly see the light provided by young players. It’s molting, to a degree.

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This list represents my assessment of the top five current defender prospects in the USYNT men’s pool. The only litmus is that these players have to be eligible for at least one USYNT at the moment (U23 and down) and have not yet had a first team USMNT cap. Aside from that, everything’s fair game. And we’ve got one heck of a top five brewing.