The Major League Soccer unveiled FC Cincinnati’s center-back Matt Miazga as the recipient of the 2023 MLS Defender of the Year Award on Monday.
Miazga received 25.45% of the total vote from the panel consisting of players, club officials, and media members. St. Louis City SC’s center-back Tim Parker came in second with 10.46% of the votes.
Miazga was one of the key players for the Cincinnati team that finished at the top of the Eastern Conference and won the Supporters’ Shield trophy. With Miazga manning its defense, the MLS side conceded only 39 goals, being tied for fourth-fewest in the league, while keeping their opponents without scoring in 12 games. The 28-year-old also managed to add one assist.
Unfortunately for FC Cincinnati, Miazga won’t be able to help them in their MLS Cup Conference semifinal clash against Philadelphia Union. He has to serve a one-game suspension due to accumulated bookings.
Matt Miazga started his career with the New York Red Bulls in 2013 and played three seasons with the club before securing a transfer to Premier League powerhouse Chelsea. After making just two appearances with Chelsea in 2015–16, Miazga embarked on a series of loan moves that saw him play for five different clubs. After his contract with Chelsea expired in the summer of 2022, he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Cincinnati.
