Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 10. Kristijan Kahlina

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Kristijan Kahlina was simply the best goalkeeper in Major League Soccer last season. There is no debate to be had. The Charlotte FC netminder was not in top goalkeeper talks during his first two seasons in the league, but that's just how quickly the landscape of the position changes. Kahlina was a crucial part of Charlotte's unbelievable defense that was easily the best in the Eastern Conference. His numbers soar above all others in a backline that conceded just 37 times in the entire campaign. The issue came on the attacking end, where Charlotte scored 46 goals, the lowest of any Eastern playoff team and less than a couple of non-playoff squads.

The Croatian shot-stopper began things on a high note, shutting out NYCFC. A 2-0 victory over Columbus was a statement victory for the team. In May, he soldified himself as the Goalkeeper of the Year. From May 4 to May 25, he did not concede a single goal. The five-game clean sheet streak is no common occurrence in the sport. He made a combined 21 saves in those matches. He held DC United and Philadelphia to zero soon after. The 32-year-old posted a season-high of seven saves on three occasions. He closed the season with two clean sheets in the final two matches before the playoffs. The No. 5 seed Charlotte FC earned a shutout during the three-game series against Orlando City, but ultimately fell.

Kahlina ruled every stat there is. Most importantly, he did not make a single error that led to a goal, the fact that his zero leads the league goes without saying. He kept a total of 13 clean sheets thanks to that Spring run. He prevented 13.1 goals, with the next closest competitor sitting at 8.9. He also finished with a 12.2 goals added total from American Soccer Analysis, which is a stat that shows the value of a player to their team. He led all goalkeepers there, too. It remains to be seen if the defensive prowess of Charlotte and the incredible year of Kahlina was a one-year fluke, or if this success will become a normality. With some attacking help, watch out for The Crown in 2025. Kahlina comes in at No. 10.

10) KRISTIJAN KAHLINA | GK, CLT | STATS (PERCENTILE)

12.2 GOALS ADDED

13.1 GOALS PREVENTED (100%)

13 CLEAN SHEETS (100%)

0 ERRORS LED TO GOAL (100%)