Sporting Kansas City's Ike Opara is the 2017 MLS Defender of the Year, the league announced on Thursday. When Opara was on the field, Sporting Kansas City gave up 23 goals in 30 games and recorded 11 shutouts. He led the voting across all categories, taking the Player Vote with 31.42% with no other player reaching 14%.
"Reflection, for me I think was the biggest one," Opara said when asked about getting the news that he won the award. "And then I wanted to thank a lot of people, just because I know that it's an individual award but with teammates, supporters, friends, family... trainers even. Everyone who was part of the ride and might not get the credit for it. It was really a community effort. So, I wanted to thank them as soon as I heard."
MLS Defender of the Year winners 2017: Ike Opara – Sporting Kansas City
2016: Matt Hedges – FC Dallas
2015: Laurent Ciman – Montreal Impact
2014: Chad Marshall – Seattle Sounders FC
2013: Jose Goncalves – New England Revolution
2012: Matt Besler – Sporting Kansas City
2011: Omar Gonzalez – LA Galaxy
2010: Jamison Olave – Real Salt Lake
2009: Chad Marshall – Columbus Crew
2008: Chad Marshall – Columbus Crew
2007: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
2006: Bobby Boswell – DC United
2005: Jimmy Conrad – Kansas City Wizards
2004: Robin Fraser – Columbus Crew
2003: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire
2002: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire
2001: Jeff Agoos – San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Peter Vermes – Kansas City Wizards
1999: Robin Fraser – Los Angeles Galaxy
1998: Lubos Kubik – Chicago Fire
1997: Eddie Pope – DC United
1996: John Doyle – San Jose Earthquakes
