Charlotte FC’s Kristijan Kahlina named 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year

Kristijan Kahlina has been named the 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, recognizing his stellar season with Charlotte FC.

Kahlina was Charlotte’s only player to play every minute in 2024, dominating several statistical categories. The 32-year-old Croatia native was the only MLS goalkeeper to rank top-five in both saves (121) and goals against average (1.09), while finishing tied for first in shutouts (12) and leading the league in save percentage (75.63%).

That consistency helped Charlotte concede the second-fewest goals in MLS (37), providing the foundation for the club’s second straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance. With Kahlina in net, Charlotte set club records in points (51) and wins (14), earning the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed.

Kahlina is the first-ever Charlotte FC and Croatian player to earn an individual MLS Year-End Award. He is the fourth European to claim MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors, joining Roman Bürki (Switzerland, 2023), Vito Mannone (Italy, 2019) and Jimmy Nielsen (Denmark, 2012).

“Without the team, I cannot be where I am.”

A special moment shared with those who made this season special. Here’s to our 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫. pic.twitter.com/1uFp6QNJfF

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) November 12, 2024

This award is voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and current MLS players.

Kahlina beat out fellow finalists Hugo Lloris (LAFC) and Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew).

Players

Media

Clubs

TOTAL

1. Kristijan Kahlina (CLT)

10.81%

53.20%

40.63%

34.88%

2. Hugo Lloris (LAFC)

16.22%

9.60%

6.25%

10.69%

3. Patrick Schulte (CLB)

10.81%

8.80%

9.38%

9.66%

MLS Goalkeeper of the Year winners

2024: Kristijan Kahlina – Charlotte FC
2023: Roman Bürki – St. Louis CITY SC
2022: Andre Blake – Philadelphia Union
2021: Matt Turner – New England Revoluton
2020: Andre Blake – Philadelphia Union
2019: Vito Mannone – Minnesota United FC
2018: Zack Steffen – Columbus Crew
2017: Tim Melia – Sporting Kansas City
2016: Andre Blake – Philadelphia Union
2015: Luis Robles – New York Red Bulls
2014: Bill Hamid – D.C. United
2013: Donovan Ricketts – Portland Timbers
2012: Jimmy Nielsen – Sporting Kansas City
2011: Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC
2010: Donovan Ricketts – LA Galaxy
2009: Zach Thorntoon – Chivas USA
2008 Jon Busch – Chicago Fire FC
2007: Brad Guzan – Chivas USA
2006: Troy Perkins – D.C. United
2005: Pat Onstad – San Jose Earthquakes
2004: Joe Cannon – Colorado Rapids
2003: Pat Onstad – San Jose Earthquakes
2002: Joe Cannon – San Jose Earthquakes
2001: Tim Howard – MetroStars
2000: Tony Meola – Kansas City Wizards
1999: Kevin Hartman – LA Galaxy
1998: Zach Thornton – Chicago Fire FC
1997: Brad Friedel – Columbus Crew
1996: Mark Dodd – Dallas Burn