South Charlotte Today

Major League Soccer has announced that Kristijan Kahlina, goalkeeper for Charlotte FC, has been named the 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Kahlina is both the first player from Charlotte FC and the first Croatian to receive an individual MLS Year-End Award.

Kahlina completed the 2024 season with a total of 121 saves and 12 shutouts. According to American Soccer Analysis, his -10.47 G-xG is noted as the second-best goalkeeping performance in MLS since 2013, surpassed only by Djordje Petrovic's -10.75 in 2022.

Throughout the season, Kahlina was distinguished as the only goalkeeper to place in the top five for both saves (121) and goals against average (1.09). He also became the first player from Charlotte FC to participate in every minute of a season, marking his 100th appearance for the club on October 19 against D.C. United. His contributions were vital in securing Charlotte FC's best defensive record in the Eastern Conference and achieving their highest points tally of 51.

Kahlina joins Roman Burki (Switzerland), Vito Mannone (Italy), and Jimmy Nielsen (Denmark) as one of only four Europeans to have won this award.

The award recognizes excellence among goalkeepers during the regular MLS season and was determined through votes from MLS club technical staff, media members, and current players. Hugo Lloris from LAFC and Patrick Schulte from Columbus Crew were finalists who finished second and third respectively in voting.