Major League Soccer announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC centre back Kendall Waston finished second to Montreal’s Laurent Ciman in voting for the MLS Defender of the Year.
The winner was decided by three voting groups: current MLS players; MLS clubs (coaches, technical directors, chief business officers and PR directors); and media members who consistently covered the 2015 MLS regular season.
As you can see below, Waston won the media vote but fell short in the club and player vote.
| MLS Defender of the Year voting | ||||
| Player (Club) | % of Club Votes | % of Media Votes | % of Player Votes | Weighted Total |
| Laurent Ciman (MTL) | 34.55 | 25.35 | 21.02 | 80.92 |
| Kendall Waston (VAN) | 16.36 | 29.58 | 15.34 | 61.28 |
| Matt Hedges (DAL) | 21.82 | 18.3 | 14.77 | 54.89 |
| Matt Miazga (NY) | 7.27 | 11.27 | 3.98 | 22.52 |
Waston, 27, anchored a Whitecaps FC backline that allowed just 36 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league. The Costa Rican was an imposing presence all season, leading all defenders with 121 aerials won – the only player in MLS who had more was Columbus Crew striker Kei Kamara. He also finished second in headed clearances (133) and third in total clearances (195).
On the offensive end, the 2015 Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year contributed two goals for the ‘Caps this season and continued his stellar play in the MLS Cup Playoffs, tallying 13 interceptions, eight clearances, seven duels won and four blocks over two legs in the Western Conference Semifinal.
The 6-foot-5 centre back was recently called up by the Costa Rican national team for a pair of upcoming matches in the fourth round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Los Ticos host Haiti on Friday, November 13, then visit Panama four days later.
Whitecaps FC have two more players up for MLS Awards. Carl Robinson is in the running for MLS Coach of the Year, while David Ousted is a contender for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
The winners are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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