Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler Wins Defender of the Year
Published on November 20, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (November 20, 2012) - Major League Soccer announced today the Defender of the Year, the Referee of the Year and the Assistant Referee of the Year awards.
2012 Defender of the Year: Matt Besler - Sporting Kansas City
Besler appeared in 31 matches this season for Sporting Kansas City logging a total of 2,769 minutes. The central defender was a mainstay in a back line that allowed just 27 goals in 2012, the fewest among all MLS clubs this season. The Kansas City native also contributed two assists this season.
The award was voted on by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular season performance. The other two finalists were teammate Aurelien Collin and San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez. Below is a breakdown of the voting for the top five candidates:
Player (Club) % of Club Votes % of Media Votes % of Player Votes Weighted Total
Matt Besler (SKC) 10.35 46.97 13.19 70.51
Victor Bernardez (SJ) 32.76 15.15 16.48 64.39
Aurelien Collin (SKC) 22.41 13.64 12.08 48.13
Jay DeMerit (VAN) 6.90 6.06 9.89 22.85
Carlos Valdes (PHI) 6.90 4.55 4.40 15.85
2012 Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year
MLS announced that Silviu Petrescu was voted Referee of the Year and Ian Anderson was voted the Assistant Referee of the Year. These two awards were voted on by media, MLS players and MLS club management.
The other two finalists for Referee of the Year were Baldomero Toledo and Armando Villarreal. Below is a breakdown of the voting:
Referee % of Club Votes % of Media Votes % of Player Votes Weighted Total
Silviu Petrescu 34.55 50 36.78 121.33
Baldomero Toledo 38.18 30 31.03 99.21
Armando Villarreal 27.27 20 32.18 79.45
The other two finalists for Assistant Referee of the Year were Gregory Barkey and Corey Parker. Below is a breakdown of the voting:
Asst. Referee % of Club Votes % of Media Votes % of Player Votes Weighted Total
Ian Anderson 41.51 28.21 46.59 116.31
Gregory Barkey 33.96 46.15 29.55 109.66
Corey Parker 24.53 25.64 23.86 74.03
MLS Defender of the Year Winners:
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 - D.C. 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 - D.C. United
1996: John Doyle - San Jose Earthquakes
Referee of the Year Winners:
2012: Silviu Petrescu
2011: Mark Geiger
2010: Kevin Stott
2009: Alex Prus
2008: Jair Marrufo
2007: Brian Hall
2006: Brian Hall
2005: Brian Hall
2004: Abiodun "ËAbbey' Okulaja
2003: Brian Hall
2002: Kevin Terry
2001: Paul Tamberino
2000: Paul Tamberino
1999: Paul Tamberino
1998: Paul Tamberino
1997: Esse Baharmast
Assistant Referee of the Year Winners:
2012: Ian Anderson
2011: Corey Rockwell
2010: Craig Lowry
2009: Greg Barkey
2008: Kermit Quisenberry
Major League Soccer Stories from November 20, 2012
- Arena, Teammates Laud Beckham - LA Galaxy
- Chivas USA Weekly Update - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Pair of Early Signings Gives Revs Offseason Jumpstart - New England Revolution
- FC Dallas Goalkeeper Chris Seitz Named MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year - MLS
- D.C. United Reserve Match against Toronto FC Cancelled - D.C. United
- Sady Gets to Make His Case - New England Revolution
- D.C. United Signs Defender Dejan Jakovic to New Contract - D.C. United
- Maxime Crépeau and Zakaria Messoudi Join Canada - Club de Foot Montreal
- Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler Wins Defender of the Year - MLS
- Matt Besler Named MLS Defender of the Year - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas Promotes Marco Ferruzzi to First Assistant Coach - FC Dallas
- CCL: Galaxy, Dynamo join SJ, SKC in 2013-14 tournament - LA Galaxy
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