Steven Moreira of the Columbus Crew was named 2024 MLS Defender of the Year on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Cape Verde international had two goals and four assists in 27 matches (23 starts) this season.

“It means a lot to be selected as the MLS Defender of the Year,” Moreira said. “This season was filled with great memories from our run to the Concacaf Champions Cup Final, representing the Crew in the MLS All-Star Game in front of our home crowd, to lifting the Leagues Cup and setting multiple club records.
“Without my teammates, coaches and the staff and what we accomplished as a group, this would not have been possible. I am grateful for the continued support from my family, friends and our fans.”

Moreira featured in six clean sheets and ranked sixth among MLS defenders with 407 short passes completed.

He is the third Columbus player to win the honor, joining Robin Fraser (2004) and Chad Marshall (2008, 2009).

He received 18.6 percent of the votes from MLS players, club technical staff and media members. Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba was second with 15.5 percent and the Seattle Sounders’ Jackson Ragen was third with 8.9 percent.

–Field Level Media