Washington, D.C. -- (Sports Network) - Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday that D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell has been tabbed the 2006 MLS Defender of the Year as voted on by media, MLS players and MLS coaches. Boswell beat out Kansas City Wizards defenders Jose Burciaga, Jr. and Jimmy Conrad for the honor.

"The award is great, I really appreciate it and I'm proud of it," Boswell said in a phone interview Tuesday. "But most of the credit goes to my team and our coaches. It is phenomenal, a tribute to the team. The biggest thing is the guys around me do their jobs which makes my job that much easier. This award is more theirs than mine, they allow me to make plays. This is a great honor for the whole team."

United, the top-seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, defeated New York 1-0 behind a goal from Christian Gomez - an MLS MVP finalist - in the 77th minute on Sunday in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series. The series will resume at 6 p.m. this Sunday at RFK Stadium.

"The team's focus is on playing well in the game on Sunday and advancing," Boswell said. "In our minds we have three games left to accomplish our goal (of an MLS Cup Championship)."

Boswell (6-foot-2, 185 pounds), a second-year professional from Florida International University, appeared in 30 of his team's 32 games, helping backstop the defense that earned the Black-and-Red the MLS Supporters' Shield as the top team in the regular season. He scored a goal and added an assist this season while also earning a spot on the 2006 MLS All-Star team that defeated back-to-back English Premier League champions Chelsea on August 5.

"The main thing I can stress is the award I won is a result of the team," he said. "The players and coaches around me...all the credit goes to those guys."

Boswell, 23, a Tampa FL native and co-captain at FIU during his college days, went from an undrafted rookie last season to the league's top defensive player in his sophomore campaign.

"I really have to give all the credit to our coaching staff for giving me a chance and letting me prove what I could do on the field," Boswell said. "If it wasn't for their support I wouldn't be where I am today."

Boswell helped anchor a United defense - with teammate and 2006 MLS Goaltender of the Year, Troy Perkins - by stepping into the central role on United's defense that was left open when New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen departed for Blackburn Rovers in England prior to the 2006 season.

The Black-and-Red allowed only 38 goals this season with Los Angeles being the only team to allow fewer (37).

Other MLS awards to be announced Tuesday were the Comeback Player of the Year and the Referee of the Year which went to FC Dallas' Richard Mulronney and referee Brian Hall, respectively. Both of the awards are voted on the same way as Defender of the Year.

FC Dallas' 29-year-old midfielder Mulronney earned the Comeback Player of the Year Award after earning a goal and nine assists - including four game-winning assists - in 25 appearances after missing nearly the entire 2005 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Mulrooney's experience and composure on the ball helped solidify a very talented FC Dallas midfield. The Hoops won more games (16) than any other team in the league this season with their total points (52) good enough to capture the top seed in the Western Conference.

Hall was named Referee of the Year for the third time in four years, having also taken home the honor in 2003 and 2005. As a FIFA referee since 1992, Hall is widely regarded as one of North America's top officials.