Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English The Major League Soccer Defender of the Year Award is an annual award handed out to the top defender in Major League Soccer annually since the league's inception in 1996.<ref name="mlsfef">Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman named 2015 MLS Defender of the Year, mlssoccer.com</ref> The award is decided based on votes from MLS players, MLS coaches and executives and media members.<ref name="auto">"The FC Dallas center back beat out the Galaxy’s Jelle Van Damme for the award", Goal.com, November 11, 2016.</ref>
John Doyle won the inaugural award with the San Jose Clash for the 1996 MLS season.
WinnersEdit
File:Chad Marshall Dynamo vs Sounders 2016-04-10 cropped.jpg
With three wins, Chad Marshall has won the most MLS Defender of the Year Awards.
File:Carlos-Bocanegra.jpg
US men's national team player Carlos Bocanegra is a two-time winner of the award.
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Walker Zimmerman won the award back-to-back with Nashville SC
Wins by clubEdit
Wins by nationalityEdit
| Nationality | Wins | |
|---|---|---|
| Template:USA | 24 | |
| {{#invoke:flag | Belgium}} | 1 |
| Template:CPV | 1 | |
| Template:COL | 1 | |
| {{#invoke:flag | Czech Republic}} | 1 |
| {{#invoke:flag | Norway}} | 1 |
| Template:POR | 1 |