Ghanaian international, Jonathan Mensah has been voted the Columbus Crew defender of the year.
Mensah joined Columbus crew ahead of the 2017 season as a designated player.
His signing with the club was an aggressive move aimed at shoring up a defence which dealt with myriad issues conceding goals during Berhalter’s tenure up to that point.
But the former Anzhi Makhachkala centre-back struggled early on with many observers quick to label him a D.P. bust. Still, he persevered, adjusted to the nuances of defending in MLS, and played a significant part in the club's run to the Eastern Conference finals last year.
Mensah built upon that momentum in 2018. Eight of Crew SC’s 10 shutouts this year came in matches he started. The 28-year-old centre-back proved immensely reliable in the air along with clearing balls from danger.
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Mensah's 3.1 aerials won per 90 and 4.4 clearances per 90 both led all Crew SC players who logged at least 2,000 minutes. For his efforts, he made the MLS Team of the Week twice this season.
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