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Olave named MLS Defender of the Year

Jam 

Real Salt Lake's amazing defensive record this season figured to earn the club some post-season accolades and the first of those came on Friday, with Jamison Olave being named MLS Defender of the Year.

Olave anchored an RSL defense that allowed an MLS record-low 20 goals this season and posted 14 shutouts. He partnered with Nat Borchers to form the strongest centerback tandem in the league. Olave's combination of size and speed intimidated and shut down opponents on a regular basis.

Olave beat out Borchers and Los Angeles centerback Omar Gonzalez for the honor. In doing so, he becomes the first foreign defender to win the honor since Lubos Kubik won in 1998 as a member of the Chicago Fire.

What do you think of this selection? Agree with the pick?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. More so than in any of the other categories, I thought that any of the three candidates for defender of the year would have been a deserving winner of the prize. With that said, Olave was a beast. Now let’s see if he can shut down FC Dallas when it really counts!

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  2. definitely the most deserving of the 3 choices. borchers and gonzalez were certainly good, but he is the better centerback in the same defense as borchers, and gonzalez wasn’t exactly perfect all season long, but he will certainly win it in the next few years(if he hasn’t moved to Europe already)

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  3. Well deserved honor. Olave has had a great year and deserves the award…however, without the leadership and organization of Borchers, I don’t think it would have happened. Without a doubt, the best CB tandem in the league.

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