Vancouver Whitecaps star Tristan Blackmon named MLS defender of the year

United States defender Tristan Blackmon (15) looks on during a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

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 season, and his fourth with Vancouver.

The Las Vegas native is the first Whitecaps player to be named MLS defender of the year, and the club’s first to win an individual league award since 2014, when Pedro Morales was named newcomer of the year.

He received 22.1 per cent of the votes for the award, beating out Philadelphia Union defenders Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner.

Blackmon did not play in Vancouver’s first playoff game, a 3-0 win over FC Dallas in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round series Saturday, but has returned to full training with his teammates.

The star defender could be available Saturday when the ‘Caps visit Dallas for Game 2.

If necessary, Game 3 would be back at B.C. Place on Nov. 7.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2025.