And moving on…
2011 MLS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR:
Best defender in MLS during the 2011 regular season.
Candidates:
Marshall was a big part of the Crew's surprising success...
Corey Gibbs – Chicago Fire
Gonzalo Segares – Chicago Fire
Ante Jazic – Chivas USA
Heath Pearce – Chivas USA
Chad Marshall – Columbus Crew
Julius James – Columbus Crew
Drew Moor – Colorado Rapids
Marvell Wynne – Colorado Rapids
Ugo Ihemelu – FC Dallas
George John – FC Dallas
Andre Hainault – Houston Dynamo
Todd Dunivant – Los Angeles Galaxy
Omar Gonzalez – Los Angeles Galaxy
A. J. Soares – New England Revolution
Chris Tierney – New England Revolution
Rafa Marquez – New York Red Bulls
Tim Ream – New York Red Bulls
Futty Danso for the Timbers...
Carlos Valdes – Philadelphia Union
Sheanon Williams – Philadelphia Union
Eric Brunner – Portland Timbers
Mamadou Danso – Portland Timbers
Jason Hernandez – San Jose Earthquakes
Ramiro Corrales – San Jose Earthquakes
Nat Borcher – Real Salt Lake
Jamison Olave – Real Salt Lake
Jeff Parke – Seattle Sounders
James Riley – Seattle Sounders
Matt Besler – Sporting KC
Chance Myers – Sporting KC
Richard Eckersley – Toronto FC
Ty Harden – Toronto FC
Gershon Kofie – Vancouver Whitecaps
Alain Rochat – Vancouver Whitecaps
–
TSG skinny: Omar Gonzales–as well as Chad Marshall–will and should be in everyone’s debate. Chance Myers was dynamic for Sporting KC, but probably not enough.
Not the same year in Real Salt Lake. Nat and Jamison, strong, but not quite 2010.
The pairings from the two perhaps the two most disappointing MLS clubs–Colorado and New York–don’t belong near this list.
James Riley, perhaps a sleeper, an excellent year up in Seattle.
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Posted by dth on 2011/10/21 at 6:31 PM
I’ll go with Carlos Valdes of Union. George John was early pick, but he fell off post-scuttled-transfer. Gonzalez is protected by his system, I think.
Posted by sidereal on 2011/10/21 at 7:31 PM
Agree with Valdes. Union defense has been crazy good this season.
Posted by Crow on 2011/10/21 at 7:52 PM
The one useful stat ESPN offered last night was the fact the Union set the MLS record for shots allowed (or I guess shots on goal) per game- 3.
Posted by Mike Mc on 2011/10/22 at 2:18 AM
Todd Dunivant has played every minute of every match except one for LA…and I think that was CCL. The guy is one of the best Left Backs in the league and I’d say he’s definitely the most consistent in terms of performance. You put him on any team in MLS and that’s one position the coach knows he doesn’t have to worry about for every game over the entire season. I’m not sure that can be said about any of the other names on this list.
Posted by Yank11 on 2011/10/22 at 11:14 PM
Omar Gonzalez hands down should be defender of the year.
Posted by The Philly Soccer Page » 3rd place in the East, Sunday it is on 2011/10/24 at 6:29 AM
[...] Carlos Valdes and Sheanon Williams have been nominated for The Shin Guardian’s Defender of the Year award. [...]
Posted by James G on 2011/10/25 at 7:43 AM
Ihemelu in Dallas and the Brunner/Danso pairing in Portland are my unsung picks. But for the award I’d chose Aurelien Collin.
His tenacity and intelligence have made Besler look as good as he has and for a European import to come in and adjust so well to the physicality makes me wonder if MLS should not be scouring French football for more players.
Andy Brassell always says that France is the perfect proving ground for the EPL – as Newcastle are showing this season. With the success of Collin, Le Toux, Hassli, and Zerka – though in limited action – and Courtois – too a lesser extent – perhaps that mentality plays out well here too.