Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Tristan Blackmon named 2025 MLS Defender of the Year

Tristan Blackmon has been named the 2025 MLS Defender of the Year, following a stellar season with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Blackmon, who contributed 2g/1a in 25 league appearances, led a defense that allowed the second-fewest goals in MLS (38) and kept the joint-second-most clean sheets (13).

Those efforts helped Vancouver to their best season since joining MLS in 2011, setting club records for points (63), wins (18), goal differential (+28), and goals (66).

Additionally, Blackmon scored three goals in 11 games in cup competitions. The 29-year-old center back, who was named an MLS All-Star, was crucial in Vancouver's run to the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup final and helped them secure a fourth straight Canadian Championship title.

Blackmon also earned his first USMNT call-up. He started both matches in the September international window, including a 2-0 win against Japan.

Blackmon is the first Whitecaps defender to be named MLS Defender of the Year, and the club's first player to earn an individual year-end award since Pedro Morales was named the 2014 MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Defender of the Year is voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and current MLS players. Blackmon beat out fellow finalists Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes, both from the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union.

Voting Results

	Players	Media	Club	Total
1. Tristan Blackmon (VAN)	8.33%	22.03%	36%	22.12%
2. Jakob Glesnes (PHI)	10.42%	10.73%	24%	15.05%
3. Kai Wagner (PHI)	4.17%	13.56%	12%	9.91%