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MLS: Awards based on start of the season

By Connor Somerville

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 11: MLS commissioner Don Garber announces the renaming of the coach of the year award to the Sigi Schmid award in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft on January 11, 2019, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 11: MLS commissioner Don Garber announces the renaming of the coach of the year award to the Sigi Schmid award in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft on January 11, 2019, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 06: Minnesota United defender Ike Opara (3) in action during an MLS match between the Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United on October 06, 2019, at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 06: Minnesota United defender Ike Opara (3) in action during an MLS match between the Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United on October 06, 2019, at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defender of the Year

The next award is the Defender of the Year award. It’s a little tougher to judge the defenders because we still aren’t sure how well these players will be defensively, but so far this season, it’s an easy decision.

Ike Opara scored two goals during the second weekend of play to carry Minnesota United to a massive win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Opara has had one of the best starts to an MLS season I can remember.

He is also in the running for the award when the season restarts. Unlike others on this list, for example, Opara has the pedigree and ability to maintain his superb form. He deserves the award at the two-week stage, but that might also be the same once the close of the campaign rolls around.

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