Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year

The big picture: Kahlina is Charlotte FC's first player to earn an individual MLS year-end award. MLS Goalkeeper of the Year recognizes the best goalkeeper of the 2024 regular season (think of these awards like NFL Honors).

By the numbers: Kahlina's 121 saves and 12 shutouts during the regular season helped Charlotte FC qualify for the playoffs.

• Plus, he's the first Charlotte FC player to play every minute in a season.

Flashback: Earlier this month, Charlotte FC hosted the city's first major league playoff game in nearly a decade. Kahlina was the hero of the night, making two saves during penalty kicks against Orlando City to force a game three.

What he's saying: Kahlina says the biggest change that helped them become one of the best defensive teams in MLS was the team hiring Dean Smith as head coach.

• "We will become a much harder team to beat," Smith told Axios prior to the start of the season. He was right.

Editor's note: This story was updated following Kahlina's press conference to include quotes.