Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina has been named MLS goalkeeper of the year. Why it matters: Kahlina played a key role in Charlotte FC's historic 2024 season. The big picture: Kahlina is Charlotte FC's first player to earn an individual MLS year-end award.

Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (in red) is mobbed by teammates after stopping a pair of penalty kicks in Game 2 of the Crown's MLS first round game against Orlando City. Kahlina was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, making him the first Charlotte player to earn a league wide honor.

Kristijan Kahlina has become Charlotte FC's penalty shootout savant. And he could help his team exploit an entirely forseeable weakness in the MLS Cup Playoff format.

Charlotte’s own Kristijan Kahlina has been announced as the 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Kahlina is the first CLTFC player and Croatian to earn an individual MLS year-end award. He was playing at such a high level that the team extended his contract through the 2026 season back in October.

Can Charlotte FC produce a genuine shock by winning the MLS Cup so early in the franchise’s history? The latest odds are strongly backing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, followed by LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC. Last season’s champions, Columbus Crew, are also among the favourites.

Kristijan Kahlina is one of the few players on the current roster who was also on Charlotte FC’s inaugural squad. His league honor represents how far the club has come.