Defender of the Year: Team Defense Rankings

Was thinking about the probable 2010 awards nominees, and this came to mind. Here's a list of MLS Defender of the Year nominees, and where their teams ranked in terms of goals allowed:

1996	Fraser	LA	3
1996	Doyle	SJ	4	win
1996	Kooiman	TB	5
1997	Dooley	CLB	1
1997	Gough	KC	4
1997	Pope	DC	5	win
1998	Fraser	LA	1
1998	Kubik	CHI	2	win
1998	Pope	DC	3
1999	Fraser	LA	1	win
1999	Kubik	CHI	3
1999	Agoos	DC	6
2000	Vermes	KC	1	win
2000	Fraser	LA	2
2000	Addo	TB	4
2001	Agoos	SJ	1	win
2001	Llamosa	MIA	4
2001	Mastroeni	MIA	4
2002	Lalas	LA	1
2002	Barrett	SJ	2
2002	Bocanegra	CHI	3	win
2003	Nelsen	DC	3
2003	Pope	NY	4
2003	Bocanegra	CHI	5	win
2004	Conrad	KC	1
2004	Fraser	CLB	2	win
2004	Pope	NY	10
2005	Califf	SJ	1
2005	Conrad	KC	5	win
2005	Marshall, T.	LA	7
2006	Boswell	DC	3	win
2006	Burciaga	KC	10
2006	Conrad	KC	10
2007	Robinson	HOU	1
2007	Suarez	CHV	2
2007	Parkhurst	NE	6	win
2008	Soumare	CHI	2
2008	Marshall, C.	CLB	3	win
2008	Conrad	KC	5
2009	Cameron	HOU	1
2009	Hurtado	SEA	1
2009	Marshall, C.	CLB	3	win

I know 2004 was a very even year, but it's boggling how even an MLS legend like Eddie Pope could be nominated when his team was dead last on defense. Then there's Burciaga and Conrad for a non-playoff Wizards team in 2006. The former certainly made it due to his 8 goals, while the latter only played in 15 games (though he was the defending award winner). Tyrone Marshall in 2005 makes it four total players who were nominated with their team in the bottom half defensively.

There's certainly some reputation involved, which makes sense for a position not easily evaluated by looking at the stats. After all, Chad Marshall only played in 18 games last season. I know a lot of baseball writers take innings pitched into account when looking at their Cy Young votes, but apparently MLS voters aren't as worried about playing time.