Two Toronto FC Players Nominated for Defender of the Year

In what was a rather average season for Toronto FC, the team still managed to produce players who stood out at the end of the regular season. The work done by the defenders was particularly notable, even though defense had been one of the most problematic areas for John Herdman’s squad throughout the season.

Nonetheless, these players performed at a high level individually in MLS. As a result, two Toronto FC players have been nominated for the Defender of the Year award, seeking to bring home this recognition.

READ MORE: Nominated for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year with Toronto FC

Nicksoen Gomis and Kevin Long Nominated for Toronto FC

These two fantastic players were crucial for Toronto FC this season. Despite the team’s failure to qualify for the MLS playoffs, one player who gave it his all on the field was Frenchman Nicksoen Gomis. At just 22 years old, Gomis joined Toronto FC to showcase his great quality and potential. Gomis played in 24 MLS matches this season, logging 2,046 minutes, and became a key starter for John Herdman’s squad.

On the other hand, we also have Kevin Long, an extraordinary player who joined Toronto FC this season from England. Long had previously competed in the Premier League and, thanks to his experience, was brought in to strengthen Toronto's defense. Kevin Long played in 26 matches, recording 2,116 minutes in MLS. While both players performed admirably, unfortunately, their contributions were not enough to solidify a stronger defensive line for the team.

As a result, it seems unlikely that either Gomis or Long will win the Defender of the Year award. The award is expected to go to a player from a team with the fewest goals conceded in MLS, where defenders had a more significant and decisive impact in this season.