Sporting Kansas City's Besler claims Defender of the Year

[AWARDS: MLS] Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler was named the 2012 Defender of the Year,, beating out Frenchteammate Aurelien Collin and San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez for the award. MLS also announced that Silviu Petrescu was voted Referee of the Year and Ian Anderson was voted the Assistant Referee of the Year.

The25-year-old Besler, who grew up in nearby Overland Park, Kan., anchored a Sporting Kansas City defense that allowed 27 goals in 34 matches to lead all MLS teams with the fewest goals conceded.

The Notre Dame product started 30 of his 31 appearances in 2012. He was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Jay DeMerit (Vancouver) and Colombian Carlos Valdes (Philadelphia) finished fourth and fifth in the voting.

MLS Defender of the Year Winners:
2012: Matt Besler – Sporting Kansas City
2011: Omar Gonzalez – LA Galaxy
2010: Jamison Olave – RealSalt 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 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