1996

MLS Defender of the Year: Eddie Pope

Name: MLS Defender of the Year 1996
Start: 1996-01-01
Location: Major League Soccer

30 games, 4 goals

Winner

Eddie Pope anchored D.C. United's title-winning defense in MLS's first season.

20 other awards

Award	Winner	Team
Landon Donovan MVP Award	Carlos Valderrama	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS All-Star Game MVP	Carlos Valderrama	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Best XI	Tony Meola	MetroStars
MLS Best XI	Eddie Pope	D.C. United
MLS Best XI	Alexi Lalas	New England Revolution
MLS Best XI	Robin Fraser	Colorado Rapids
MLS Best XI	Carlos Valderrama	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Best XI	Marco Etcheverry	D.C. United
MLS Best XI	Tab Ramos	MetroStars
MLS Best XI	John Harkes	D.C. United
MLS Best XI	Roy Lassiter	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Best XI	Eduardo Hurtado	LA Galaxy
MLS Best XI	Stern John	Columbus Crew
MLS Coach of the Year	Thomas Rongen	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Comeback Player of the Year	Chris Henderson	Colorado Rapids
MLS Cup MVP	Marco Etcheverry	D.C. United
MLS Goalkeeper of the Year	Mark Dodd	Dallas Burn
MLS Golden Boot	Roy Lassiter	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Newcomer of the Year	Steve Ralston	Tampa Bay Mutiny
US Open Cup Champion	D.C. United	D.C. United

30 total winners

Year	Winner	Team	Stats
2025	Tim Ream	Charlotte FC	30 games, 2 goals
2024	Miles Robinson	FC Cincinnati	32 games, 3 goals
2023	Steven Moreira	Columbus Crew	30 games, 2 goals, 4 assists
2022	Jakob Glesnes	Philadelphia Union	31 games, 4 goals
2021	Miles Robinson	Atlanta United	30 games, 3 goals
2020	Walker Zimmerman	Nashville SC	23 games, 2 goals
2019	Walker Zimmerman	LAFC	28 games, 3 goals
2018	Aaron Long	New York Red Bulls	31 games, 4 goals
2017	Matt Hedges	FC Dallas	30 games, 2 goals
2016	Matt Hedges	FC Dallas	30 games, 3 goals
2015	Matt Hedges	FC Dallas	30 games, 4 goals
2014	Nat Borchers	Portland Timbers	32 games, 2 goals
2013	Matt Besler	Sporting Kansas City	32 games, 1 goal
2012	Matt Besler	Sporting Kansas City	34 games, 0 goals
2011	Omar Gonzalez	LA Galaxy	29 games, 3 goals
2010	Nat Borchers	Real Salt Lake	30 games, 3 goals
2009	Chad Marshall	Columbus Crew	28 games, 1 goal
2008	Chad Marshall	Columbus Crew	29 games, 2 goals
2007	Michael Parkhurst	New England Revolution	30 games, 3 goals
2006	Jimmy Conrad	Kansas City Wizards	30 games, 1 goal
2005	Jimmy Conrad	Kansas City Wizards	32 games, 2 goals
2004	Robin Fraser	Columbus Crew	30 games, 1 goal
2003	Carlos Bocanegra	Chicago Fire	28 games, 4 goals
2002	Carlos Bocanegra	Chicago Fire	30 games, 3 goals
2001	Jeff Agoos	San Jose Earthquakes	27 games, 2 goals
2000	Peter Vermes	Kansas City Wizards	29 games, 1 goal
1999	Robin Fraser	Colorado Rapids	31 games, 2 goals
1998	Robin Fraser	Colorado Rapids	30 games, 2 goals
1997	Eddie Pope	D.C. United	28 games, 3 goals