HOUSTON - Attleboro native Geoff Cameron, the second-year defender for the Houston Dynamo, is one of three finalists for Major League Soccer's Defensive Player of the Year award to be named Thursday.

Cameron is a standout on the backline for Houston, which finished with the fewest goals allowed (29) in MLS this season, posting a 13-8-9 record overall. Houston played Seattle to a 0-0 tie on the road in the opening round of its two-match, total-goal Western Conference semifinal round series.

The finalists earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media.

Cameron, who began his high school career at Attleboro High and later became the Atlantic 10 Conference's Midfielder of the Year as a senior at the University of Rhode Island, is one of three finalists for MLS Defender of the Year award with Jhon Kennedy Hurtado of Seattle and Chad Marshall of Columbus.

Cameron, who was called to U.S. National Team duty last winter, was selected to the MLS best XI team earlier in the season. Winners for each award will be announced in the coming weeks, beginning with the Goalkeeper of the Year and Fair Play winners, of which New England midfielder Steve Ralston is a finalist, on Wednesday.

The MLS Most Valuable Player announcement is scheduled for Nov. 19, of which Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph is a finalist.