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Toronto FC touts Chris Mavinga as top defender in MLS

French-born Congolese international has been a "safety blanket" for the Reds, who have the second-stingiest defence in MLS.

Toronto FC's Chris Mavinga, right, challenges Montreal Impact's Dominic Oduro during a MLS match on Aug. 27. The 26-year-old defender had soccer sojourns through England, Belgium and Russia before signing with TFC.

Just 26, Chris Mavinga’s soccer journey has already taken him from France to England, Belgium, Russia and now Canada.

And after a bumpy debut, the French-born Congolese international has found a home in Major League Soccer, quietly becoming a key defender for Toronto. Mavinga has started 17 of TFC’s last 18 games, joining Drew Moor and Eriq Zavaleta in a three-man backline that is second in the league in yielding just 0.