For as long as there have been professional sports, fans have been privy to the old adage “the best offense is a good defense.” However, an elite defense can often be hard to quantify. In the case of the Union one needs look no further than their league-leading 20 goals against, including 9 shutouts, good for 0.87 goals against average this season. In a season under normal circumstances that would be good for a mere 30 goals against, the fewest the league has seen since the 2012. This was a major step forward for the Union who recognized a need to improve defensively after last season when they were a middle of the pack defensive club.
The defensive effort this season has been a true group effort with the Union's defensive depth showing why they've been touted by Head Coach Jim Curtin since the preseason started way back in January. Ray Gaddis provided veteran leadership for the group, both on and off the field, having logged over 200 appearances for the club since 2012. Kai Wagner added a physical presence to his game after putting the league on notice with eight assists last season keeping opposing teams at bay in transition. Glesnes made an instant impact locking down opponents claiming the starting spot as one half of the centerback tandem.
Perhaps no one can claim as much of the credit for the leap from last year to this year of the defensive unit as Mark McKenzie. The 21-year-old became the staple of the defensive identity this season clearing balls, intercepting passes, winning headers, and tackling foes. He was a force to be reckoned with all year. His efforts did not go unnoticed by others, being recognized as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Quite the leap from only playing in seven matches last season, to now being seen as one of, if not the top defenders in the league this year.
The backline was characterized by versatility this season, capitalizing on a core rotation of seven logging significant minutes. No one exemplified this better than Jack Elliott, who filled whatever role Jim Curtin asked him to fill over the course of this season. When not being asked to play center back, Elliott has logged time at the no. 6 position when called upon showcasing his versatility on the field. When Ray Gaddis went down with injury earlier this season, Olivier Mbaizo stepped right in and did not miss a beat. Matt Real made his presence known every time he set foot on the field this year. Though he was limited to only 15 matches, including five starts, Real played a crucial role for the team and was able to log a goal and two assists on the year.
“The best offense is a good defense” takes on a whole new meaning with this group who regularly found themselves involved in creating chances and scoring opportunities this season. The backline combined for six goals and seven assists this season, led by Mark McKenzie who asserted himself in the attacking third scoring twice and adding three assists. McKenzie earned his first career MLS goal against D.C. United when he let loose from outside the box to beat the keeper; he followed it up one week later converting a header in the Union’s rout of Toronto FC. Kai Wagner provided one of the assists of the year when he crossed the ball to Sergio Santos to open scoring against Toronto. Of course, no one will forget when Jakob Glesnes became a household name for Union fans after he lined up for a freekick against LAFC and blasted home his first goal in only his second start.
We know that anyone who wants a chance at the MLS Cup this season will have to go through Subaru Park to get there. Opposing teams should be worried as this is a group that has conceded only four goals in nine home matches. If legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant is right that “defense wins championships” this group is in good hands. With a well-rested, healthy backline heading into the Union’s MLS Cup run this group will look to challenge for the MLS’ ultimate prize.
