Field Insider
17.1
24.3%
Ratingi
29.6
22.8%
Seasoni
1.9
Valuei

Profile

Full nameMatthew Ryan Polster
PositionDefensive midfielder
NationalityUSA
Age33
Date of birth8 Jun 1993
BirthplaceMilwaukee
Height183 cm
Shirt number#8
ClubNew England Revolution
More about M. Polster →
Defensive midfielder

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
26
Appearances
1
Goals
1
Assists
2329
Minutes

Domestic-league season · New England Revolution.

Performance data · by competition

CompetitionAppsGAMinMatch
Major League Soccer261123296.94

Scout report

Experienced headDefensive midfielder

M. Polster is a 33-year-old defensive midfielder at New England Revolution, enjoying a standout season — 1 goals and 1 assists in 26 appearances, a Season grade of 30, top 32% of Major League Soccer defensive midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 17.1, ranking 440th of 513 in the Major League Soccer. A seasoned veteran, he has been a regular starter (78.4% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.56 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Polster.

Judged on this season alone, Polster graded 30 — a solid campaign that ranks top 32% of the 50 defensive midfielders in the Major League Soccer, on 1 goal, 1 assist and 3.555 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 24 → 30). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has trended upward, peaking in 2023/24.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 17, 45th of 50 of the 50 defensive midfielders in the Major League Soccer. At 33 Polster is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 1.9 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Below his 2023/24 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.

Peak: 2023/24Holding levelRemarkably consistent
Current potential45th of 50 defensive midfielders · Major League SoccerCurrent seasonTop 32% defensive midfielders · Major League Soccer16th-best defensive midfielder in the Major League Soccer440th in the Major League Soccer · potential45th-highest potential defensive midfielder in the Major League Soccer
17.1
Ratingi
45th of 50 defensive midfielders
29.6
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
78.4%
Minutes
a regular starter
3.56
Def. actions / 90
solid defensive volume

Output in context · New England Revolution finished 8th of 15 · a mid-table side

3.56
Def. / 90
48
Tackles
40
Interceptions
8
Clean sheets

3.56 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — solid defensive volume, with 8 clean sheets across 26 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Availability. On the pitch for 78.4% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
  • Defensive volume. 3.56 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — does the unseen work.

Watch points

  • Age curve. At 33, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 17.1, Polster carries the 45th-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the Major League Soccer of 50. Defensively he reads as solid defensive volume (3.56 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.7× and falling).

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

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among defensive midfielders in the Major League Soccer with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals1
Shots on target4
Shots8

Passing

Assists1
Pass accuracy53%

Possession

Successful dribbles11
Dribble success73.3%
Fouls won18

Defending

Tackles48
Interceptions40
Blocks4
Fouls committed47

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards7
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.