**The 2026 MLS Defender of the Year market remains tightly bunched near the top because no center back has separated himself through the first third of the season.** Inter Miami’s Micael, acquired on loan from Palmeiras to bolster a back line transitioning after key departures, has helped stabilize the Herons’ defense amid a strong Eastern Conference start. Nashville SC’s early Supporters’ Shield pace and clean-sheet contributions from multiple options keep several names in play, while established performers like Kevin Long continue logging consistent minutes on competitive sides. Roster depth across the league, varying team results, and the award’s emphasis on overall defensive impact rather than isolated stats have prevented any candidate from building a decisive lead, leaving trader consensus reflecting a wide-open race.
Experimental AI-generated summary referencing Polymarket data. This is not trading advice and plays no role in how this market resolves. · UpdatedWalker Zimmerman 43.1%
Miguel Tapias 41.4%
Brendan Hines-Ike 39.3%
Joel Waterman 37.5%
$899,941 Vol.
$899,941 Vol.
Walker Zimmerman
43%
Miguel Tapias
41%
Brendan Hines-Ike
39%
Joel Waterman
38%
Micael
26%
Andrés Reyes
7%
Zac McGraw
17%
Maya Yoshida
5%
Sebastien Ibeagha
5%
Dany Rosero
5%
Jack Elliott
4%
Robin Jansson
4%
David Brekalo
4%
Jack Maher
4%
Tim Parker
4%
Christopher McVey
4%
Lalas Abubakar
4%
Andreas Maxsø
4%
Joakim Nilsson
4%
Henry Kessler
4%
Jalen Neal
4%
Tomás Avilés
4%
Matt Miazga
4%
Andrew Privett
3%
Lucas Bartlett
3%
Jackson Ragen
2%
Yevhen Cheberko
2%
Gabriele Corbo
1%
Enea Mihaj
1%
Michael Boxall
1%
Thiago Martins
1%
Eddie Segura
1%
Erik Sviatchenko
1%
Stian Gregersen
1%
Marcelo Silva
1%
Daniel Munie
1%
Yeimar Gómez Andrade
1%
Ranko Veselinović
1%
Sean Nealis
1%
Noah Eile
1%
Miles Robinson
1%
Sigurd Rosted
1%
Rodrigues
13%
Aaron Long
1%
Carlos Terán
1%
Kamal Miller
<1%
Adilson Malanda
14%
Kevin Long
17%
Tristan Blackmon
38%
Birk Risa
42%
Justen Glad
41%
Dave Romney
34%
Jakob Glesnes
41%
Donovan Pines
43%
Robert Voloder
37%
Rudy Camacho
41%
Maximiliano Falcón
41%
Oleksandr Svatok
39%
Mauricio Pineda
37%
Nkosi Tafari
42%
Walker Zimmerman 43.1%
Miguel Tapias 41.4%
Brendan Hines-Ike 39.3%
Joel Waterman 37.5%
$899,941 Vol.
$899,941 Vol.
Walker Zimmerman
43%
Miguel Tapias
41%
Brendan Hines-Ike
39%
Joel Waterman
38%
Micael
26%
Andrés Reyes
7%
Zac McGraw
17%
Maya Yoshida
5%
Sebastien Ibeagha
5%
Dany Rosero
5%
Jack Elliott
4%
Robin Jansson
4%
David Brekalo
4%
Jack Maher
4%
Tim Parker
4%
Christopher McVey
4%
Lalas Abubakar
4%
Andreas Maxsø
4%
Joakim Nilsson
4%
Henry Kessler
4%
Jalen Neal
4%
Tomás Avilés
4%
Matt Miazga
4%
Andrew Privett
3%
Lucas Bartlett
3%
Jackson Ragen
2%
Yevhen Cheberko
2%
Gabriele Corbo
1%
Enea Mihaj
1%
Michael Boxall
1%
Thiago Martins
1%
Eddie Segura
1%
Erik Sviatchenko
1%
Stian Gregersen
1%
Marcelo Silva
1%
Daniel Munie
1%
Yeimar Gómez Andrade
1%
Ranko Veselinović
1%
Sean Nealis
1%
Noah Eile
1%
Miles Robinson
1%
Sigurd Rosted
1%
Rodrigues
13%
Aaron Long
1%
Carlos Terán
1%
Kamal Miller
<1%
Adilson Malanda
14%
Kevin Long
17%
Tristan Blackmon
38%
Birk Risa
42%
Justen Glad
41%
Dave Romney
34%
Jakob Glesnes
41%
Donovan Pines
43%
Robert Voloder
37%
Rudy Camacho
41%
Maximiliano Falcón
41%
Oleksandr Svatok
39%
Mauricio Pineda
37%
Nkosi Tafari
42%
In the event of a tie, this market will resolve according to the official winner as determined by MLS rules. If multiple winners are announced then this market will resolve to the player whose listed last name comes first alphabetically.
If the 2026 MLS season is cancelled, postponed after December 31, 2026 ET, or there is otherwise no winner declared within that timeframe, this market will resolve to “Other”.
The resolution source for this market will be official information from Major League Soccer; however, a consensus of credible reporting may also be used.
Market Opened: Feb 17, 2026, 2:56 PM ET
Resolver
0x2F5e3684c...In the event of a tie, this market will resolve according to the official winner as determined by MLS rules. If multiple winners are announced then this market will resolve to the player whose listed last name comes first alphabetically.
If the 2026 MLS season is cancelled, postponed after December 31, 2026 ET, or there is otherwise no winner declared within that timeframe, this market will resolve to “Other”.
The resolution source for this market will be official information from Major League Soccer; however, a consensus of credible reporting may also be used.
Resolver
0x2F5e3684c...**The 2026 MLS Defender of the Year market remains tightly bunched near the top because no center back has separated himself through the first third of the season.** Inter Miami’s Micael, acquired on loan from Palmeiras to bolster a back line transitioning after key departures, has helped stabilize the Herons’ defense amid a strong Eastern Conference start. Nashville SC’s early Supporters’ Shield pace and clean-sheet contributions from multiple options keep several names in play, while established performers like Kevin Long continue logging consistent minutes on competitive sides. Roster depth across the league, varying team results, and the award’s emphasis on overall defensive impact rather than isolated stats have prevented any candidate from building a decisive lead, leaving trader consensus reflecting a wide-open race.
Experimental AI-generated summary referencing Polymarket data. This is not trading advice and plays no role in how this market resolves. · Updated



Beware of external links.
Beware of external links.
Frequently Asked Questions