Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon has been named Major League Soccer’s defender of the year.

The 29-year-old American centre back started in 23 of his 25 regular-season appearances, scoring twice and contributing an assist before suffering a knee injury in mid-September.

He had a team-leading 36 clearances as the ‘Caps gave up a league-low 38 goals across the regular season, and finished second in the Western Conference with an 18-7-9 record.

Blackmon also helped Vancouver get to the CONCACAF Champions League final and win a fourth straight Canadian Championship title.

He was one of four Vancouver players named to the MLS all-star team and was called up to play for the United States in the September international window.

The breakout campaign comes in Blackmon’s eighth MLS

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