MLSsoccer.com editors make their picks for the 2015 Defender of the Year Award.
2015 Defender of the Year Award
<b>Editor</b> |
<b>Pick</b> |
<b>Reason</b> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-hedges" target="_blank">Matt Hedges</a> |
<p>Don’t sleep on FCD. Especially the backline, which is not as heralded as their fleet-footed attacking counterparts. But they should be. I expect Dallas to be very hard to break down, largely because of Hedges.</p> |
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-hedges" target="_blank">Matt Hedges</a> |
<p>Steady improvement has led him to the brink of the US national team and this year he cements his name in the mix.</p> |
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-besler" target="_blank">Matt Besler</a> |
<p>After an off year in 2014 (and even then, they conceded the fifth fewest goals), I’m expecting Sporting to return to the type of smothering defense they’ve become known for, and a rested and recovered Besler will be their rock in the back.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kendall-waston" target="_blank">Kendall Waston</a> |
<p>Part of me thinks Hedges is destined to mirror Rimando when it comes to individual awards – always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Waston's just going to have too many highlights on both sides of the ball anchoring one of MLS' most exciting teams.</p> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kendall-waston" target="_blank">Kendall Waston</a> |
<p>Dominant in the air on both sides of the ball, and better than most realize when it's on the floor, as well.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/laurent-ciman" target="_blank">Laurent Ciman</a> |
<p>It only took his first 90 minutes in CCL against Pachuca to blow away an entire audience of MLS viewers. There's a lot more where that came from. Pure class.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/BENJAMIN_50x50.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Ben Baer</strong><br><em>Content Researcher</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kendall-waston" target="_blank">Kendall Waston</a> |
<p>An absolute beast who set the tone for the Whitecaps' run to the playoffs in 2014. Now Carl Robinson gets him for the whole season.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Yards-50x50.png" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Jonathan Yardley</strong><br><em>Contributing Editor<br>
MLS Broadcaster</em><br></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-parkhurst" target="_blank">Michael Parkhurst</a> |
<p>Sets the tone for an Eastern Conference favorite.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Charlie-50x50.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Charles Boehm</strong><br><em>Contributing Editor</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-hedges" target="_blank">Matt Hedges</a> |
<p>Last year Jurgen Klinsmann finally saw what longtime MLS watchers already knew well: Hedges is an elite player. Statistically, in fact, he's even better than the guys Klinsmann took to Brazil.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Slerns%2050x50.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Sarah Lerner</strong><br><em>Social Media</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/aj-delagarza" target="_blank">AJ DeLaGarza</a> |
<p>In my opinion, the most consistent and versatile defender in MLS. 2015 will be his year to truly shine.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/02/stejskal%28FORMATTED%29_2.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Sam Stejskal</strong><br><em>Contributing Editor</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-besler" target="_blank">Matt Besler</a> |
<p>After a disappointing run following last summer's World Cup, Besler will bounce back in a big way in 2015, anchoring a revamped, rejuvenated SKC defense as they get back to their old, stingy ways. </p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/ALICIA_50x50.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Alicia Rodriguez</strong><br><em>Contributing Editor</em></p> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-parkhurst" target="_blank">Michael Parkhurst</a> |
<p>It's a risky pick of sorts, since Columbus' aggression on the flanks may cost them in terms of conceding goals. But if the defense is solid and Crew SC finish near the top of the standings, he will likely be one of the fundamental pieces to that success.</p> |
