FC Cincinnati Defender Matt Miazga named MLS Defender of the year
by Neil Meyer
Earlier this morning the MLS announced that FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga was named the 2023 MLS defender of the year. Miazga has anchored the back line for the orange and blue this season after coming to Cincinnati in 2022 after spending time overseas with Chelsea FC in the Premier League, which is arguably considered the greatest soccer league in the world to many.
Miazga has appeared in 36 games for the Orange and Blue this season and has been a pivotal piece to their historic season after the Blue and Orange captured the Supporters shield for the first time ever. For those wondering, the Supporters Sheild is an annual award given to the with the best regular season record in all of Major League Soccer.
Miazga has quickly became a fan favorite in Cincinnati due to his heart and passion and tenacious energy on the back line and has quickly become a key contributor for Pat Noonan and the Orange and Blue since arriving to Cincinnati just over 15 months ago. For FC Cincinnati fans, this shouldn't be surprising after the season Miazga had after allowing just 12 goals on the season, while recording 12 clean sheets along the way.
Miazga, is also 6th in the team in minutes played, as he the 28-year-old has recorded 2,384 minutes played for the Orange and Blue this season across his 36 appearances so far, this season.
For Miazga, he was one of the three members from the Orange and Blue to make this 2023 MLS All Star game joining teammate Luciano Acosta and Alvaro Barreal. However, Miazga may not be the only member of the Orange and Blue bringing home a major award from the MLS this season, as midfielder Luciano Acosta is a finalist for the MLS MVP, Goalkeeper Roman Celentano was named a finalist for MLS goalkeeper of the year, while head coach Pat Noonan is finalist for MLS coach of the year after leading the Orange and Blue to their best season in club history.
This MLS Defender of the year award was voted on by MLS Club technical staff, players, media and coaches across the league. Miazga recorded nearly 17% of the Player votes (16.56 to be exact), 26.83% of the clubs' votes, and 32.95% of the media votes, for a total average of 25.45% of the votes per MLS.