Top 10 Defensive Midfielders of the 2014 MLS Season
As the 2014 MLS season draws to a close, Bleacher Report will examine the 10 best players in each position from this campaign. The Top 10 goalkeepers and defenders have already been revealed, with three lists left in the series.
In part three, the 10 best defensive midfielders in 2014 will be analyzed. Only midfielders who play in a deep-lying role will be considered.
These players will be ranked based on their defensive contribution and passing abilities. Mental attributes such as anticipation and positioning will also be included in the criteria.
Here are the 10 best defensive midfielders of the 2014 MLS season.
Honorable Mentions
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Jose Mari
Spanish midfielder Jose Mari can play as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced role. The 26-year-old has been one standout for the Colorado Rapids in an otherwise horrible season. He's averaged 1.7 tackles and interceptions per match, according to WhoScored.com. The Spaniard also has four goals.
If it wasn't for an ankle injury that forced him to miss a month of action, Jose Mari would be in the conversation to make the Top 10.
Victor Ulloa
Victor Ulloa is one of many young defensive midfielders with a bright future ahead of him. The 22-year-old has a pass completion rate of 85.2 percent, per WhoScored.com, and his defensive numbers are equally strong.
The FC Dallas midfielder also averages nearly two tackles per game. The lack of appearances in the role is the only reason Ulloa is left out of the Top 10.
Michel
Another Dallas player who didn't crack the list, but it's not because he wasn't good enough. Michel has been excellent for the Hoops this season. He's one of the best set-piece specialists in MLS and has solid defensive traits.
However, the Brazilian has only made eight appearances in the heart of the midfield. The 33-year-old has also been used a fullback, winger and central midfielder.
10. Michael Bradley
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Michael Bradley hasn't been consistent, but he's still given his all for Toronto FC in their hunt for their first playoff appearance. He's been playing non-stop since his Roma days, and he has had to endure a lot of traveling.
Nonetheless, Bradley has still been one of TFC's best players. No numbers jump off the page, which is why he's No. 10 on the list. However, he's given Toronto some valuable experience and leadership.
Bradley is still a solid midfielder, but his tenseness when he's on the ball in the final third is one of his weaknesses. The American international is a great holding midfielder, but don't ask him to help the attack.
9. Wil Trapp
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Twenty-one-year-old Wil Trapp has built on his rookie 2013 campaign and established himself as a legitimate defensive midfielder for the Columbus Crew in 2014. Trapp has already started 41 games for the Crew, and he's formed a great partnership with Tony Tchani.
In 25 appearances, Trapp has averaged nearly three tackles per match and just over two interceptions, via WhoScored.com. The American also has a pass completion rate of 87 percent as well.
Trapp is already a beast, and he's still only 21.
8. Perry Kitchen
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Perry Kitchen has been one of D.C. United's breakout stars this season. At 22, he's already established himself as a key player for head coach Ben Olsen.
Kitchen has started 28 matches for D.C., scoring four goals and registering three assists in those games. He's a solid tackler, anticipates onrushing attacks and is strong in the air.
The only negative to the youngster's game is the amount of fouls he concedes. Only Portland's Diego Chara (80) has committed more than Kitchen's 62, per MLSSoccer.com.
However, that's something that cannot be avoided in the position. Even the best have some disciplinary issues.
7. Tony Tchani
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Wil Trapp and Tony Tchani are one of the best defensive-midfield pairings in MLS. The Cameroonian has had as strong a season as his 21-year-old partner, starting 30 games for the Columbus Crew.
Tchani executes 2.5 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per match and completes just under 85 percent of his passes, according to WhoScored.com.
The 25-year-old isn't a flashy player, like many defensive midfielders, but he's consistent and rarely slips up. Tchani's fine showings are one of the reasons why Columbus is still alive in the playoff race.
6. Juninho
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Juninho may be the most underrated player on this list because of his other LA Galaxy teammates. Make no mistake about it, the Brazilian deserves some recognition.
The 25-year-old is a tremendous deep-lying playmaker. He averages nearly 65 passes per game, completing 90 percent of them, via WhoScored.com. He also has four assists.
Juninho is also a strong defender. He completes 2.5 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per match. The downside is that he's occasionally beaten on dribbles, but his playmaking abilities make up for that, which is why he has a spot in the Top 10.
5. Kyle Beckerman
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Another talented deep-lying playmaker, Kyle Beckerman cracks the Top Five. The Real Salt Lake man has been to Brazil and back but hasn't skipped a beat.
Despite his key role with the U.S. men's national team at the World Cup, Beckerman has still produced for his club. He's a great defender who executes timely tackles and can transition the play forward.
Beckerman averages 2.3 interceptions per game, via WhoScored.com, which is slightly higher than his tackling numbers. He also completes nearly one key pass every match.
Beckerman is a complete midfielder who's strong in many areas. At 32, he's only going to improve as he gains more experience.
4. Will Johnson
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Will Johnson's season came to an end when he broke his leg in Toronto on September 27th. It was a huge blow to the Portland Timbers' playoff chances.
The Canadian has arguably been their best player since joining in 2013. He's a gritty, hard-working player who has tons of attributes.
He's accurate with 86 percent of his passes and completes just over two tackles per game, via WhoScored.com. Johnson has also only accumulated four yellow cards, which is impressive given his tenacious attitude.
If it wasn't for the injury, Johnson would have been considered for a spot in the Top Three.
3. Diego Chara
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Will Johnson's midfield partner Diego Chara has become one of MLS' best defensive midfielders over the last few years.
Chara has played in 115 games for the Portland Timbers over the last four seasons. The Colombian was the club's first designated player, and he's lived up to that status.
The 28-year-old is more underrated than Johnson, but that shouldn't be the case. Chara averages 4.5 tackles per match, via WhoScored.com. However, he's also a capable passer, completing 85 percent of his attempts.
The Timbers are battling the Vancouver Whitecaps for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Johnson's absence is a massive blow, but Chara's performances down the stretch will be key for Portland's postseason chances.
2. Matias Laba
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Before Matias Laba arrived in Vancouver, Toronto FC jumped through hoops to try and keep him. However, TFC's loss was the Whitecaps' gain and he's proving to be a valuable addition.
Laba, still just 22 years old, has incredible defensive numbers. He completes nearly five tackles per game and slightly less than three interceptions, per WhoScored.com.
Like most of the players on this list, Laba is also a great passer of the ball. His mental attributes are strong, and he's easily one of the most important players in the Whitecaps squad.
1. Osvaldo Alonso
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Osvaldo Alonso is still the best defensive midfielder in the league. Even when he plays higher up the pitch, he always helps out at the back.
Alonso has built a reputation of being a pit bull. His 3.5 tackles per match, via WhoScored.com, back up that claim. He's also picked up seven yellow cards but, somewhat surprisingly, hasn't been sent off this season.
That shows that Alonso always teeters on the edge but never falls. The 28-year-old's most underrated quality is his passing. He completes a whopping 91 percent of his attempts. No one else in MLS has a better number, per WhoScored.com.
The Seattle Sounders' defense may not be the best in the league, but they're fighting for the Supporters' Shield thanks to Alonso's performances.
Less than a year ago, Alonso signed a designated-player contract. He's lived up to the hype in his first full season since inking the new deal.
