Several players who have played for the New York Red Bulls or MetroStars have won the award in the past, but Long is the first to win it while an active player for RBNY (or MetroStars). The 26-year-old center-back was ever-present for his team this season, appearing in all 34 of the Red Bulls’ league games, and starting 31 of those. RBNY allowed just 33 goals in the MLS regular season this year - the lowest goals against total in the league in 2018 - and shut-out their opponents on 14 occasions. And that defensive solidity backstopped an all-time best regular-season points total for RBNY: 71 points.
Aaron Long is the 2018 MLS Defender of the Year
