Omar Gonzalez Wins Defender of the Year

While part of the LAG Confidential team awaits the arrival of the MLS Cup on the Santa Monica Pier, word has come down the pipeline that LA Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez has won the MLS Defender of the Year award. This award was voted on by the media, players, coaches and general managers. Gonzalez was one of three finalists along with Nat Borchers and Jamsion Olave of Real Salt Lake. 

Gonzalez appeared in 29 matches this season for the Galaxy, his crew allowing just 28 goals in that time. This was the fewest allowed by an MLS club this season. Omar Gonzalez is just twenty three years old, the youngest player to ever win the MLS Defender of the Year. 

The LA Galaxy defender received 33.33% of the club votes, 39.79% of the media vote and 21.34% of the player vote. That gave him a weighted total of 94.47, second place Jamison Olave had a weighted total of 50.74. Players, coaches, and GMs are not allowed to vote for players on their own club, but media are without restrictions. 

Gonzalez is the first member of the LA Galaxy to win the award since Robin Fraser in 1999. In case you have a cozy home under a rock, Robin Fraser is currently head coach of Chivas USA. Omar Gonzlez was a finalist last year, when the award went to Jamison Olave. 

Also of note, Todd Dunivant finished fifth in the voting. He was able to finish with a weighted total of 17.08, not all that far from third place Nat Borchers with 21.50. Congrats to both defenders on a fine regular season.