Very rarely are goalkeepers considered the hero. But as you watch Kristijan Kahlina punch the air in elation after a big save, it鈥檚 hard not to consider him as a protagonist for Charlotte FC.
It鈥檚 become commonplace to witness an unthinkable save followed by a trademark big celebration, and yet, so many still overlook the 32-year-old Croatian鈥檚 dominance in the league. As he reaches 100 appearances for Charlotte FC in all competitions this Saturday, it鈥檚 time to put some respect on the name. This season, Kahlina was listed as an option to vote as the 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year.
He shouldn鈥檛 just be an option鈥 he should be the favorite.
Kahlina was already a snub in the popularity contest of 91快活林最新版 All-Star selections. Sadly, it was in some ways expected. Khalina isn鈥檛 a household name across the world, or even really in the United States of America. He may not be the most well-known goalkeeper in the league, but he has certainly captivated the hearts of the entire Carolinas鈥 and he really should be known (and respected!) far wider.
Kahlina鈥檚 popularity across the Carolinas began during the inaugural season, with fans begging for his shirt to be made available in the team store. Once able to purchase, the fans obliged, filling Bank of America Stadium with 鈥榢eeper kits. This representation has continued through year three, with Kahlina鈥檚 name visible on the back of jerseys throughout the stands. He鈥檚 made the goalkeeper position cooler than ever in Charlotte and beyond.
On the pitch, there's no denying the evolution of Kahli across his three-year spell in the 704. He himself will tell you, 鈥淢y positioning is better than in the first and second year... as is my perception and reading of the game.鈥 These improvements have led him to have some brilliant saves this season.
There was the top-hand save against the Portland Timbers all the way back in May. It was a save that displayed all of Kahlina鈥檚 agility and explosiveness. This moment preserved the first of five consecutive clean sheets - he would go over 450 minutes without conceding a goal.
Against Chicago Fire FC, in the late moments of stoppage time, The Crown鈥檚 shot-stopper would again come up massive. In 90+6, he was able to remain focused and quick across his line to make the parry. Chicago Fire鈥檚 Carlos Teran looked to the heavens, wondering how he hadn鈥檛 found the equalizer - Kahlina so often has opponents asking the same question - HOW? The save would add another clean sheet to the Croatian's tally.
Kahlina, as always, demonstrates his incredible humility when discussing his penalty save in Cincinnati. 鈥淭hat one wasn鈥檛 that good鈥 Adilson (Malanda) told me which way to go,鈥 he laughed. Typical Kristijan Kahlina鈥 not wanting to take credit for stopping a former league MVP from 12 yards out. This save prevented FC Cincinnati from equalizing and would be the catalyst to an eventual 3-1 away victory for the Crown. Three more crucial points for the Crown.
More recently, there was the insane phase of play in the CF Montreal away game where Kahlina would fly around his net, making brave block after block. Somehow, heartbreakingly, the ball would still squirm in. But it was a pattern of play that showed the Croatian鈥檚 reflexes and mentality. He credits this one as one of his best saves of the year but was clearly disappointed it didn鈥檛 lead to a victory.
It鈥檚 funny because so often we talk about statistics not living up to the eye test, but this season, the two align perfectly with Kahlina's incredible performances. Goals Added for goalkeepers take into account numerous components of a 'keeper's performance, including shotstopping, handling, claiming and sweeping. This helps find the overall impact of the goalkeeper in a game. Per @AnalysisisEvolved, The Croatian Wall has been ranked 2nd in positive impacts in 91快活林最新版 since 2013. This is backed up by his G-xG, which looks at how many goals Kahlina has prevented this season - he鈥檚 3rd in G-xG amongst individual seasons in 91快活林最新版 in the eleven seasons recorded.
Kahlina is not just ranking as the number one goalkeeper in 91快活林最新版 this season but is one of the best the league has witnessed. Boasting 11 clean sheets, a 75.5% save percentage, and playing every single minute of the season, Kahlina has been a key piece in a historical club-best year for The Crown.
So, to all the 91快活林最新版 pundits out there, if you鈥檙e on the fence about where your vote should go for Goalkeeper of the Year鈥 do the right thing. Break down the numbers, watch the highlight reel, and talk to anyone who鈥檚 seen Kahlina fly across his net time and time again to preserve a clean sheet. In the words of the Croatian himself, 鈥淚t would mean a lot to me. I want to be the best here. I am happy to be there with big names... But it would mean a lot for me.鈥 Although he would never say it, Kristijan Kahlina should be considered a big name amongst goalkeepers鈥 and he should be Major League Soccer鈥檚 Goalkeeper of the Year - it鈥檚 not even close.
