They say hindsight is 20/20 but with the 2014 MLS season in the rearview mirror, now is the perfect time to look back at what we saw and break down the best of the best. A year dominated by goal scorers took the attention away from those protecting the net but there were five defenders in particular that stood above the rest. Here is a quick look at the top five defenders from the MLS this past season.
5. Nat Borchers – Real Salt Lake
The rock in the middle of the Real Salt Lake defense was key to their third place finish in the Western Conference. They were among the stingiest teams in the MLB as they allowed jut 39 goals in 34 games this season. Only DC United and the LA Galaxy allowed fewer goals than RSL, Borchers was extremely effective from the center-back position, thwarting offenses runs on a consistent basis.
That’s what it’s no surprise that the best beard in the MLS will suit up for Portland next year after his rock solid play earned him a spot with a team that could undoubtedly use his services. They surrendered a whopping 52 goals last season but with Borchers in tow, expect that number to go down. He’ll be an immediate upgrade to what they’ve got protecting their keeper.
4. Omar Gonzalez – Los Angeles Galaxy
Omar Gonzalez was particularly solid down the stretch and a big reason for the Galaxy’s MLS title run. They allowed a total of just 37 goals while posting the best goal differential in the entire league. A center-back that was at the heart of the Los Angeles defense, the 26-year old stepped up his level of play again in the postseason where the Galaxy allowed just three goals in five playoff games. That play at the back end is what keyed their run all the way to a championship. Nobody was better than Gonzalez during that run and he deserves to be on this list as he plays out the prime of his career.
3. Matt Hedges – FC Dallas
The 24-year-old Matt Hedges was a pleasant surprise this past season as he emerged as a breakout star in his third year with FC Dallas. Advanced state guys love Hedges and will point out the average of 6.9 clearances and 3.2 interceptions were both quite impressive, but anybody that got to see Hedges play saw how big of a rock he was in the middle of the defense. He was as steady as they come. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if he earned himself a look from the national team based on his performance this past season as he’s definitely among the best in the country at his position right now.
2. Chad Marshall – Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounds fans welcomed Chad Marshall with open arms after manager Sigi Schmid was able to drag him away from the Columbus Crew where he had spent his entire career. The 30-year-old veteran earned the Supporters’ Shield winner with a dominant year and it’s no surprise that the Sounders back-to-back losses to Los Angeles and San Jose in the middle of the season happened to come when Marshall was out of the lineup. Marshall is a veteran presence that brings a calming influence to the middle of the defense and the impact his addition made cannot be overstated.
1. Bobby Boswell – DC United
It was no surprise that Boswell’s arrival in the middle of the DC defense corresponded with their rise from worst to first in the MLS Eastern Conference. He was a constant difference maker on the back line and one of the main reasons why they improved in that area of the field. The 31-year-old is poised, confident, and incredibly reliable on the back end and there’s no better stat that illustrated his value to the team than DC United’s goals allowed. They gave up 17 fewer goals in 2014 than it did the year before.
