Robin Fraser
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Robin Fraser (born December 17, 1966, in Kingston, Jamaica) is a former soccer defender, one of the best defenders in Major League Soccer's history.
Fraser played college soccer at Florida International University from 1984 to 1988. Fraser led the team to a Division II Championship as a freshman. After the team moved to Division I before the 1987 season, he was recognized as an All-American in 1987 and 1988, and was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy as a senior. After graduating, Fraser joined the Colorado Foxes of the APSL, for whom he played from 1990 to 1995. While with the Foxes, Fraser was named an APSL All-Star four straight years, from 1992 to his final season in 1995.
When MLS was created, he was the Los Angeles Galaxy's first selection (fourth overall) in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. Fraser played five seasons with LA, and was named to the league's Best XI four times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000), and was named MLS Defender of the Year in 1999.
Fraser was traded to the Colorado Rapids in a salary-cap related move before the 2001 season. He spent three years in Colorado, before being traded to the Columbus Crew for two draft picks. Although his career was considered to be on the downslide during his time with the Rapids, he anchored the Crew defense in 2004, and was once again considered one of the best at MLS at the position, winning his second Defender of the Year award and being named to his fifth Best XI while captaining the Crew to the Supporters' Shield. While Fraser is currently one of the oldest players in MLS, he is widely recognized as making up for his age by being one of the most intelligent. During the 2003 and 2004 season, Fraser helped mentor two of MLS's most promising young defenders, Nat Borchers and Chad Marshall. Never a big scorer, Fraser has only scored one regular season and one playoff goal in his ten years in MLS. He retired after the 2005 season.
Although Fraser was born and raised in Jamaica, he chose to represent the United States at the international level, after becoming a citizen in June 1986. He made his debut against Chile on June 1, 1988 and has amassed 27 caps.
