Let's make this birthday one to remember.

42 years old (Born on May 19, 1982)

Happy birthday, Oguchi Onyewu! You tackled attackers like Broadway tackles musicals—strongly, memorably, and always with flair. From dominating the Belgian First Division in 2005 as the Best Foreign Player with Standard Liège to becoming a steadfast member of Team USA since '04, your defensive skills left strikers wishing they'd stayed home.

Here's to another year celebrating the man who turned defending into an art form—and made international forwards quietly reconsider their career choices one header at a time. Cheers to you Excellency on defense; may your special day be filled with fewer slide tackles...and far more cake!