FC Dallas Name Team Award DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

A stalwart on the Dallas backline all season long, Chris Gbandi set career-highs in games played, games started and minutes played in 2006 to claim his first Defender of the Year award.

The 2002 No. 1 overall pick appeared in 28 games, making 27 starts and playing 2,393 minutes while collecting two assists.

Gbandi has established himself as one of the best left backs in all of MLS, not just for his defensive prowess but also for his attacking skills which allow him to pin back opposing midfielders and whip crosses into the box from the left flank.

Gbandi proved to be cool under pressure as well, successfully converting his penalty kicks during shootouts against Tigres UANL in the Rio Grande Plate and the Charleston Battery in the U.S. Open Cup.