Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon is MLS Defender of Year

Field Level Media|published: Tue 28th October, 14:12 2025

Aug 23, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Tristan Blackmon (33) battles for the ball against St. Louis City SC forward Simon Becher (11) during the second half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

Tristan Blackmon of the Vancouver Whitecaps was named the 2025 MLS Defender of the Year on Tuesday.

He anchored a defense that allowed the second-fewest goals (38) and logged the second-most clean sheets (13).

Blackmon, 29, added two goals and one assist in 25 MLS matches (23 starts) in his fourth season with Vancouver.

The award is voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and current MLS players.

He finished ahead of fellow finalists and Philadelphia Union teammates Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. Glesnes won the award in 2022.

Blackmon is the first player in Whitecaps history to win the award, and Vancouver's first winner of any year-end individual honor since Pedro Morales was named the 2014 MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Blackmon has posted seven goals and seven assists in 172 career MLS matches with Los Angeles FC (2018-21) and the Whitecaps.

--Field Level Media

Latest