MLS Fantasy Rankings: Defenders

This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Rankings series.

1. Omar Gonzalez
Understandably, the spotlight did not shine on the LA Galaxy during last year's MLS Cup run. Landon Donovan's retirement, Robbie Keane's MVP season, promising young Gyasi Zardes and a blue chip manager in Bruce Arena all grabbed more attention. But the air-tight defense in Los Angeles, led by Gonzalez, contributed as much as anything to their brilliant season. The US National Team defender was one of the few American players to return from the World Cup in better form than he entered it. In total, LA tied for fewest goals allowed on the year. Gonzalez racks up the valuable CBIs (clearances, blocks, and interceptions) in Fantasy MLS and is one of the most dangerous aerial threats that MLS boasts. The defense as a whole shouldn't regress drastically since they also return A.J. DeLaGarza, Robbie Rogers, Dan Gargan and others. Gonzalez has a penchant for picking up injuries and attempting to play through them, but even at 80-percent healthy, he will serve your team better than most other options. There's little doubt that Gonzalez should be at the top of your shopping list if you're looking to add a premier defender.

2. Matt Hedges
After a long wait, Hedges finally got his long awaited call up to the US National Team this January. Last year, Hedges finished tied for fourth in goals among defenders and he led the league in CBIs. He is nearly as imposing as Omar Gonzalez in the air, standing at 6-foot-4, and is all but guaranteed to finish with more clean sheets than the leaky Dallas defense kept last season. FC Dallas should be playing with a lead quite often this season and will be able to lend extra attention to defense. The remaining centerback spot in Dallas is still a bit of a question mark, with veteran Zach Loyd battling up-and-comer Walker Zimmerman. Free-kick specialist Michel is even capable of playing along the back line when called upon. If manager Oscar Pareja can successfully fill that spot, Hedges could challenge Omar Gonzalez for No. 1 on this list.

3. Kendall Waston
Waston was a fantasy revelation over the final months of the 2014 season. Starting just nine games, he collected two goals, five clean sheets and, unfortunately, five yellow cards. While it's difficult to buy into such a small sample size for a player joining MLS from the Costa Rican Primera Division, Waston passes the eye test too. At 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, he is a force to be reckoned with. One of his most impressive performances last year was a game in which he fearlessly shut out a motivated Seattle Sounders team led by Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins. At times, he effortlessly muscled two of the league's biggest names off the ball, and helped Vancouver not only withstand the siege, but eventually sneak into the playoffs. The pattern of looking for fantasy points in CBIs continues here as Waston's per game average had no challenger last year. Vancouver brought in a central defense partner for Waston in Uruguayan Diego Rodriguez, and the young team should make big strides overall this season. It's difficult to name many MLS defenders that are exciting to own in fantasy soccer each and every week, but reckless Waston is undoubtedly one of the special few.

4. Liam Ridgewell
Ridgewell made an immediate impact upon joining the Timbers last summer. In his 15 starts, they earned a respectable six clean sheets and finished the season with three in a row. Now, Portland has brought in bearded bruiser Nat Borchers to further solidify the center of their defense along with a new keeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey, who you may recall from Ghana's first World Cup match against the United States this past summer. While most MLS players have been playing friendly fixtures to warm up for the season, Ridgewell has been on loan to English Championship side Wigan Athletic, which should put him in great form to start the year. He also brings a Premier League pedigree, collecting 17 goals for various clubs dating back to 2002. Just like many other defenders on this list, his heading ability should give your fantasy team a few goals throughout the season, and he is a lock to pile on the CBIs. Portland isn't known for their defense, but with Ridgewell and Borchers on board for 2015, this might be the year that changes.

5. Brek Shea
The polarizing Shea is the most exciting defensive options to start the 2015 season. The second overall pick in the 2008 MLS draft, Shea has an 11-goal season under his belt with FC Dallas. He is returning from a few frustrating years in English soccer and should benefit from a more comfortable environment in Orlando. In truth, his ability as a defender is still in question, but manager Adrian Heath will unleash him when the Lions have the ball in their possession. Shea makes up for his glaring lack of finesse with speed and size. If you want consistency, stay away. If you want a strong contender for the goals/assists leader among defenders, buy in. Should Shea eventually grows his defensive game at left back, it is only a bonus to his attacking potential. If he struggles on defense and gets moved into a more offensive position, then you have the holy grail of fantasy soccer...an attacking player eligible to fill a defender's spot in your team (and collect their clean sheet bonuses)!

6. Chad Marshall
Let's get back to the big centerbacks. Marshall is a three-time MLS Defender of the Year, most recently earning the title last season. To say that he carried Seattle's defense at times last season would be an understatement. Don't let Marshall's sleepy demeanor fool you, as he is both an intelligent and powerful defensive anchor. He cashes in on the CBI bonuses in FMLS too, finishing just behind Matt Hedges and over 30 ahead of the next closest challenger. While he gets his large frame in the mix on set pieces, and often looks threatening, his four goals in the past three seasons aren't particularly inspiring. The ability appears to be there, though. Seattle's defense as a whole is a little concerning, having lost DeAndre Yedlin and lacking a true centerback partner for Marshall. Brad Evans may convert from his typical midfield or outside back role. Seattle will hope Tyrone Mears and his Premier League experience can adapt quickly along the back line, and that Ozzie Alonso returns from injury with the same pugnacity that he is known for in the defensive midfield. Admittedly, Marshall isn't the flashiest fantasy selection, but he is as reliable as they come, with a great track record and on a very competitive team.

7. Bobby Boswell
Last season was Boswell's second appearance on the MLS Best XI, the first coming in 2006 when he also was named Defender of the Year. He led Fantasy MLS in points by a defender thanks to the rock solid, and rejuvenated DC United defense. Boswell doesn't stand out in any particular way other than being a smart, gritty and durable player. He isn't on this list for offensive potential either. But as the leader of a DC United team who tied the LA Galaxy for fewest goals allowed in 2014, you will be able to rely on him for another season full of clean sheet bonuses. Rookie of the year finalist Steve Birnbaum will continue to grow alongside Boswell in central defense, while the outside will be managed by serviceable fullbacks like Taylor Kemp, Sean Franklin and Chris Korb. Also worth a mention is

9. Chris Tierney
After a long and under-appreciated career, Tierney may be finally getting the attention he deserves. He was a critical component of New England's MLS Cup run and their lone goal scorer in the final. If you poll people around the league, you'll get numerous votes saying Tierney has the best left foot in MLS. That left foot has been the cause of many a beautiful cross, deadly free kick, or key long ball. Tierney has always been a solid source of assists and he seemed to polish those attacking abilities last year as Lee Nguyen and Jermaine Jones gave the Revolution a level of sophistication they weren't used to playing with previously. Because he is such a practical and positionally-sound defender that excels more at prevention than reaction, Tierney won't earn huge amounts of clearances, blocks or interceptions. For games that don't consider those, however, he could be an ideal acquisition. Tierney has collected at least five assists in three straight seasons, led MLS defenders in key passes last year, and shares free kick and corner kick duties. If he has free-reign to get forward as regularly as he did late last season, he will be a very enticing fantasy option.

10. Waylon Francis
This one is another nod to an entire group more than a single player. Columbus boasts a wealth of defensive fantasy options starting with speedy Costa Rican national-player Francis, who assisted seven times last season despite missing time for the World Cup. Manager Gregg Berhalter prioritizes attacking fullback play, which benefits not only Francis but also newly acquired Argentinian Hernan Grana and former Rapids player Chris Klute. That makes for three impressive attacking defenders, so be aware of a possible rotation. Versatile defender Michael Parkhurst is as worthy a mention as the others and gets pushed to the center of the defense out of necessity. He has US National Team experience and was an impressive fantasy player for large portions of last season. Experienced Austrian centerback Emanuel Pogatetz will bring some physicality to the centerback pairing. Although the attacking nature of the Crew can lead to goals against, they fared better than league average in goals against last season, and in their second year under Berhalter, they have a good chance to improve. Francis is the most intriguing of the bunch, as he should join the impressive attack more than the others, and at just 24 years old, he has the most untapped potential.

Honorable Mentions:Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), Raul Rodriguez (Houston Dynamo), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steven Vitoria (Philadelphia Union), Chris Schuler (Real Salt Lake).