This award is given by the readers of Sounder at Heart to best defensive player in 2016. We consider anyone whose primary role is to keep the ball out of their own net a defensive player. Nominations were limited to any player that had at least 20 all competitions starts, and one key centerback.
Previous winners of the Sounder at Heart Defensive Player of the Year award are, in order, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Osvaldo Alonso (‘10, ‘11, ‘12), Leo Gonzalez, Chad Marshall, Stefan Frei. Marshall, Frei and Alonso are nominated in 2016 as well.
Jordan Morris won the Young Player of Year. Nicolas Lodeiro won the Offensive Player of Year. Jessica Fishlock won the RoValks Reign of Year.
There isn’t a lot of data listed, as defensive metrics and their relationship to goal prevention is still developing.
Osvaldo Alonso
The defensive midfielder started 40 matches in all competitions.
Brad Evans
Formerly a utility player, Evans played as a centerback in 2016. Evans started 23 and subbed on 8 times in all competitions.
Stefan Frei
The keeper started 41 games in 2016.
Erik Friberg
Used mostly as a central midfielder, he also appeared as a defensive mid and right mid in 2016. Friberg earned 25 starts and 9 sub appearances.
Joevin Jones
The speedy leftback is the only player nominated for both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. He started 35 times and mad six more appearances.
Chad Marshall
Possibly the best CB in MLS history. Marshall moved to the left CB role in 2016 where he started 38 times.
Tyrone Mears
Starting 40 matches as the right back Mears was rarely replaced, no matter who the coach was.
Cristian Roldan
The only Sounder we nominated for both Young Player and Defensive Player of Year. Roldan was used as a defensive mid, central mid and right mid in 2016. He played in 44 matches, starting 36 of them.
Román Torres
Torres didn’t meet our nomination standards, but there is little doubt about his importance to the team. He started 12 games and subbed on 1 time.