Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall has been named the MLS Visa Defender of the Year.

The 25-year old won the award for the second consecutive year as he helped Crew to a record low for goals against and was also selected as an MLS All-Star.

Marshall started 18 matches for Crew who finished with the best record in MLS to again take the Supporters' Shield and despite missing ten matches due to injury and international duty was good enough to be crowned the league's best defender.

Marshall joins former Chicago Fire star Carlos Bocanegra as the only two players who have won the award twice.

The Visa Defender of the Year earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, and members of the media.