Here are the best American defenders to have ever played in MLS.
Chad Marshall
Chad Marshall is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in MLS history.
He began his professional career with the Columbus Crew in 2004 and played for the club for 10 seasons, winning two MLS Cups and being named Defender of the Year three times. He also played for the Seattle Sounders from 2014 to 2019, helping the club win two MLS Cups.
Marshall began his youth soccer career playing for the Michigan Wolves youth club. He then moved on to play for Riverside High School in Ohio before attending Stanford University, where he played college soccer.
Eddie Pope
Eddie Pope is a former US Men’s National Team defender who had a successful career in MLS. He began his professional career with D.C. United in 1996 and played for the club for six seasons, winning three MLS Cups. He then played for the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) from 2003 to 2005 before retiring.
During his time in MLS, Pope was named Defender of the Year twice (1997, 1999) and was an MLS All-Star eight times.
Pope began his youth soccer career playing for the Northern Virginia Royals youth club. He then moved on to play for Annandale High School in Virginia before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played college soccer.
Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Bocanegra is another former US Men’s National Team defender who had a successful career in MLS.
He began his professional career with the Chicago Fire in 2000 and played for the club for four seasons, winning the MLS Cup in 2003. He then played for several clubs in Europe before returning to MLS to play for Chivas USA from 2013 to 2014.
During his time in MLS, Bocanegra was named Defender of the Year in 2002 and was an MLS All-Star four times.
Bocanegra began his youth soccer career playing for the Southern California Blues youth club. He then moved on to play for Alta Loma High School in California before attending the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played college soccer.
Omar Gonzalez
Omar Gonzalez is a center back who has had a successful career in MLS.
He began his professional career with the LA Galaxy in 2009 and played for the club for six seasons, winning three MLS Cups. He then played for Pachuca in Liga MX before returning to MLS to play for Toronto FC in 2019.
During his time in MLS, Gonzalez was named Defender of the Year twice (2011, 2013) and was an MLS All-Star five times.
Gonzalez began his youth soccer career playing for the Dallas Texans youth club. He then moved on to play for Berkner High School in Texas before attending the University of Maryland, where he played college soccer.
Geoff Cameron
Geoff Cameron is a versatile defender who has played both center back and defensive midfield in MLS.
He began his professional career with the Houston Dynamo in 2008 and played for the club for five seasons, winning two MLS Cups. He then played for several clubs in Europe before returning to MLS to play for the Seattle Sounders in 2021.
During his time in MLS, Cameron was an MLS All-Star three times.
Cameron began his youth soccer career playing for the Rhode Island Rays youth club. He then moved on to play for Attleboro High School in Massachusetts before attending West Virginia University, where he played college soccer.
Jimmy Conrad
Jimmy Conrad is a former center back who played for several clubs in MLS, including the San Jose Earthquakes, Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City), and Chivas USA.
He won two Defender of the Year awards (2005, 2006) and was an MLS All-Star four times. Conrad also played for the US Men’s National Team, making 28 appearances.
Conrad began his youth soccer career playing for the Irvine Strikers youth club in California. He then moved on to play for Temple City High School before attending UCLA, where he played college soccer.
Marcelo Balboa
Marcelo Balboa is a former center back who played for the Colorado Rapids and the MetroStars during his MLS career. He was named to the MLS Best XI team twice and was an MLS All-Star eight times. Balboa also played for the US Men’s National Team, making 128 appearances.
Balboa began his youth soccer career playing for the Pride Soccer Club in California. He then moved on to play for the Montclair High School in New Jersey before attending San Diego State University, where he played college soccer.
Greg Vanney
Greg Vanney is a former left back who played for several clubs in MLS, including the LA Galaxy and DC United. He won two MLS Cups and was named to the MLS Best XI team once. Vanney also coached in MLS for Toronto FC from 2014 to 2020, leading the club to the MLS Cup title in 2017.
Vanney began his youth soccer career playing for the Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club. He then moved on to play for Greenway High School in Arizona before attending UCLA, where he played college soccer.
Jeff Agoos
Jeff Agoos is a former center back who played for several clubs in MLS, including the DC United, San Jose Earthquakes, and the MetroStars. He won five MLS Cups and was named Defender of the Year twice (2001, 2003). Agoos also played for the US Men’s National Team, making 134 appearances.
Agoos began his youth soccer career playing for the Dallas Sting youth club in Texas. He then moved on to play for J.J. Pearce High School before attending the University of Virginia, where he played college soccer.
Michael Parkhurst
Michael Parkhurst is a former center back who played for several clubs in MLS, including the New England Revolution, Columbus Crew, and Atlanta United. He won three MLS Cups and was named Defender of the Year in 2007. Parkhurst also played for the US Men’s National Team, making 25 appearances.
Parkhurst began his youth soccer career playing for the New England Revolution youth academy. He then moved on to play for Providence College, where he played college soccer.
