Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com
Last season, the Philadelphia Union's defense was a comedy of errors, unable to stay organized and a sure bet to have a few cataclysmic mistakes every match.
Enter Faryd Mondragon into the fold.
The veteran Colombian goalkeeper has made quite the impact in his first few matches with the Union, earning the captain's armband and guiding the club to two 1-0 shutouts in March en route to earning SBI's Player of the Month honors. To put things in perspective, the Union had two clean sheets all of last season. Now the club sits atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Mondragon had to make just six saves total in March games against Houston and Vancouver, but his positioning and ability to organize a defense that is now a stingy, respectable unit has been rather impressive.
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando was named MLS' official Player of the Month over the weekend, for his role in backstopping RSL to a 1-0 victory over San Jose and a 4-1 thrashing of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Between Mondragon, Rimando, Juninho, Shalrie Joseph, Javier Morales, Diego Chaves and Charlie Davies, among others, there were definitely some qualified candidiates for the monthly award.
Who do you think had the best March? Cast your vote here:
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