As part of our “Celebrating 10 Years in MLS” campaign, SoundersFC.com has launched a Best XI campaign where fans have the opportunity to vote for the club’s all-time MLS starting lineup. The voting is weighted with four sets of voting contingents: Fans (25 percent), Media (25 percent), Club Stakeholders (25 percent) and Alliance Council (25 percent), with the final Best XI to be revealed on Wednesday, July 10.
The second voting group to determine our Best XI: Defenders (May 22 - May 28).
Candidates
| Saad Abdul-Salaam | 2019 - Present |
| Tony Alfaro | 2016 - 2018 |
| Jalil Anibaba | 2014 |
| Onyekachi Apam | 2014 |
| Xavier Arreaga | 2019- Present |
| Evan Brown | 2009 |
| Marc Burch | 2012 - 2013 |
| Jonathan Campbell | 2019 - Present |
| Andres Correa | 2015 |
| Andrew Duran | 2012 - 2013 |
| Ashani Fairclough | 2013 |
| Oniel Fisher | 2015 - 2017 |
| Waylon Francis | 2018 |
| Leo González | 2009 - 2015 |
| Taylor Graham | 2009 - 2011 |
| Jhon Kennedy Hurtado | 2009 - 2013 |
| Patrick Ianni | 2009 - 2013 |
| Adam Johansson | 2012 - 2013 |
| Joevin Jones | 2016 - 2017, 2019 - Present |
| Kim Kee-hee | 2018 - Present |
| Kelvin Leerdam | 2017 - Present |
| Aaron Long | 2014 |
| Damion Lowe | 2014 - 2015 |
| Chad Marshall | 2014 - 2019 |
| Tyrone Marshall | 2009 - 2010 |
| Jordan McCrary | 2018 |
| Tyrone Mears | 2015 - 2016 |
| Jimmy Ockford | 2014 - 2015 |
| Jeff Parke | 2010 - 2012 |
| Dylan Remick | 2013 - 2016 |
| James Riley | 2009 - 2011 |
| Zach Scott | 2009 - 2016 |
| Brad Smith | 2018 - Present |
| Daniel Steres | 2012 |
| Nouhou Tolo | 2017 - Present |
| Román Torres | 2015 - Present |
| Djimi Traore | 2013 - 2014 |
| Tyson Wahl | 2009 - 2011 |
| DeAndre Yedlin | 2013 - 2014 |
| Eriq Zavaleta | 2013 |
Highlights
The crown jewel of MLS defenders, Chad Marshall, who retired on Wednesday, will go down as arguably the league’s best defender of all-time. He is second all-time for games played by a field player (409) and minutes (35,843). He is the only player to be named MLS Defender of the Year three times (2008, 2009, 2014) and has four MLS Best XI honors (2008, 2009, 2014, 2018). He is a four-time MLS All-Star (2009, 2010, 2014, 2015), a two-time MLS Cup champion (2008, 2016) and a two-time Supporters’ Shield winner (2008, 2014). After joining the Sounders in 2014 following 10 years with Columbus Crew SC, Marshall is fourth all-time in games played (156) and helped Seattle win the 2014 U.S. Open Cup, 2014 Supporters’ Shield and 2016 MLS Cup.
Leo González played in 137 matches, fifth-most in club history, for the Sounders in seven seasons from 2009-15. The Costa Rican was an MLS club original and a fixture on a back line that helped Seattle win four U.S. Open Cups (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014) and a Supporters’ Shield (2014). He played more than 10,000 minutes for the Sounders and scored two goals and added four assists.
Seattle native DeAndre Yedlin became the Sounders’ first Homegrown signing and had a meteoric rise in his first two professional seasons. Yedlin played 56 matches in two seasons, chipping in a goal and four assists. An electric outside back, he shined with the United States at the 2014 FIFA World Cup before transferring to English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in 2014. He was arguably MLS’ best fullback during his time in Seattle and continues to excel in England with Newcastle and the U.S. national team.
One of the most imposing defenders in MLS, Román Torres has been a nightmare for opposing attackers since joining the Sounders in 2015. He suffered an ACL tear not long into his initial tenure, but has appeared in 57 MLS matches and formed a center back duo with Marshall that led the Sounders to 2016 MLS Cup.
Mr. Sounder Zach Scott was a USL holdover and MLS original and still is one of the most recognizable faces of the franchise. He played eight MLS seasons from 2009 until his retirement following the 2016 season, where he helped the Sounders win their first MLS Cup. Scott played over 8,000 minutes in 118 MLS matches and won six trophies: 2009 U.S. Open Cup, 2010 U.S. Open Cup, 2011 U.S. Open Cup, 2014 U.S. Open Cup, 2014 MLS Supporters’ Shield and 2016 MLS Cup.
