FC Dallas center back Matt Hedges has won the 2016 MLS Defender of the Year award, the league announced Friday.
The 26-year-old defender beat out Jelle Van Damme of the LA Galaxy, Axel Sjoberg of the Rapids in the top three, with fellow FC Dallas center back Walker Zimmerman coming in fourth. Steve Birnbaum of D.C. United finished fifth.
Hedges finished third for the award last season, losing out to Laurent Ciman and Kendall Waston.
With Zimmerman, Hedges helped form the heart of the Supporters Shield-winning FC Dallas backline. The team surrendered 40 goals in 2016, which was tied for third in the league.