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Of all the MLS post-season awards up for grabs, there may be no tougher one to call than 2009 MLS Defender of the Year.
Last season, Chad Marshall was the clear-cut winner, topping a strong field of candidates with a career year. This season, there is no clear-cut choice among a strong crop of defenders who have all enjoyed stellar campaigns.
Marshall is once again in the running, as he has been the driving defensive force behind the Crew's push for the best record in MLS. Houston Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron has seen time at a variety of positions, but this season he established himself for a good portion of the season as the toughest defender on the league's toughest defense. Then you have newcomer Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, who stepped in and gave the expansion Sounders a lock-down defender. Chicago's Wilman Conde helped the Fire deal with the loss of Bakary Soumare by posting a dominant season even as he battled injuries.
So who gets your vote for defender of the year? Cast your vote here:
Who did you vote for? What defender is missing from the list of candidates that you think should have made it? Think Marshall is worthy of repeating?
Share your thoughts below.
omar gonzales was far better than conde this season, he at least deserves mention
Marc Burch?
Yeah. He is. Too many times caught outta position and/or letting guys go by him. Plus cards ( Don’t get me wrong. His goal-line bike kick was huge! But, one play does not make a career. Perhaps if Dom were to give him a defined role, he’d grow. But what I see is a guy who is not taking care of the basics at any one position.
maybe i missed it, but i didn’t see greg berhalters name listed.
he has had more than a few blown covers that have counted for goals against as well as giving up an uncalled for pk, luckily they didn’t convert, so rock solid is a bit of an overstatement.
However, I too am happy with the 3 amigos and Hurtado did get my vote.
O-O-O-OMAR Gonzalez
he’s even on the MLS Award Tracker and Ives leaves him off.
Omar Gonzalez
attakora!!!!!
OMAR GONZALEZ!!!!!
Cameron is a poor player? Guy can play 75% of the positions on the pitch and excel. He got my vote, aside from just being a good defender he puts it out there 110% everytime (see his goal line save after making a mistake in the LA game this past weekend).
no way red-card-Marshall is better than Hurtado. JKH marks the best players, and shuts them out time and time again. Marshall is inconsistent, not a good quality for a defender. Hurtado is rock solid and has been all year.
Im stoked el Colombiano has done so awesome this year, along with the other 3 amigos, Alonso and Montero.
Geoff Cameron is a poor player. Athletic, yes. But he has not a soccer player…Kinda like Jonny B…yeah, plays on a good team, good D but I would not state that he is a good player…and I am a Dynamo fan.
FYI…if he gets better, I’ll be the first to congratulate him.
Leo Gonzales.
Option E: Omar Gonzalez
I think someone noone is talking about but should is Carey Talley.
Chivas USA has the second best defense, statistically, in MLS and Talley has anchored that all year. He’s played both centrally and at right back wheve ever needed and has been the biggest constant on a defense that has rotated players at the other positions.
Of the people on Ives’ list, Cameron deserves it and may deserve it over Talley. But Talley should be in the conversation and a deserving pick for Best XI.
Nana Attakora seriously deserves consideration, despite Toronto’s lousy defensive numbers. Has hardly put a single foot wrong all season, very strong on challenges, never gets beat.
He had a rough game in his last outing against Seattle, but it turned out he was suffering through post concussion symptoms. The rest of the season he was brilliant in defense — from sliding tackles, to blocked shots, to clearing certain goals off the line — and adding some offensive punch of his own with timely headed goals and long ball passes out of defense for assists.
I know not everyone will agree, but I think BRYAN NAMOFF has become the most unsung if not the best defender in MLS.
Omar Gonzales of course.
Nick Garcia. Until he retires.
I think Tyrone Marshall is a better pick from Seattle, Hurtado is a great one on one stopper so he gets asigned to the main scoring threat but Marshall leads the Seattle back line, he cleans out the threats and he is the enforcer, he can also score a goal or two.
Not sure you can go wrong here but I voted for Hurtado. He has been a big part of the Sounders great season. I think Cameron will strugle to get it since he has played other positions through out the year.
Geoff Cameron. The Crew defense has been the best in the league, but they’ve done it without Marshall quite a few times this year. Tough to give it to the guy who hasn’t been playing.
totally missed Omar Gonzalez? The guy has Been Solid All year. just look the at goals allowed this year compared to last for the G’s. Omar is a big reason for that.
Where can I vote for “none of the above”?
10000% to marshal! lolwut? 😀