Major League Soccer’s 2025 season has put goalkeepers at the forefront of their clubs’ success. From elite veterans to rising stars, these shot-stoppers have been vital anchors, often standing as the last line of defense during chaotic moments.
With clean sheets, efficiency metrics, and commanding leadership in the box, these goalkeepers have shaped the early months of the season with their elite performances. Whether it’s Roman Bürki’s dominance, CJ Dos Santos’ emergence, or Matt Freese’s sharp rise, each keeper has delivered signature moments that are defining this year’s campaign.
Roman Bürki (St. Louis City SC)
Roman Bürki entered 2025 as the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and wasted no time reminding everyone why. In his first three appearances for St. Louis City SC, Bürki recorded clean sheets in every single match, asserting complete control between the posts. His standout performance came in a dominant 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy, where he displayed perfect positioning, fast reflexes, and elite composure under pressure.
Despite this blistering start, Bürki suffered a hand fracture that will sideline him temporarily. The injury interrupts his momentum, but his impact is already cemented in the team’s strong opening form.
Daniel (San Jose Earthquakes)
Daniel has become a force for San Jose Earthquakes, statistically leading the league in goalkeeper efficiency with a remarkable +2.3 rating. This advanced stat reveals that Daniel has saved over two more goals than expected based on shot quality, proving his ability to deliver in high-stress scenarios. His command of the box, agility, and sharp instincts have kept the Earthquakes in games they might otherwise have lost.
The efficiency metric separates him from his peers, and his consistency places him among the elite keepers this season, giving San Jose a foundation they can trust every matchday.
CJ Dos Santos (San Diego FC)
CJ Dos Santos has burst onto the MLS scene with San Diego FC, making a big impact during his first season in the league.
The young keeper has already registered a +2.0 goalkeeper efficiency rating, an elite stat that shows he’s saving difficult shots and outperforming expectations. His composure, quick reactions, and distribution have helped stabilize San Diego’s backline and allowed the expansion club to find early success.
Dos Santos’ performances not only validate his potential but also position him as one of the most exciting young names in American soccer. The spotlight is officially on him now.
Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC)
Kristijan Kahlina continues to provide Charlotte FC with a steady hand at the back. While his name doesn’t always dominate headlines, his impact is undeniable.
Kahlina’s save percentage remains strong, and his positional discipline makes him a difficult man to beat. His calm demeanor and ability to make timely stops have given Charlotte’s defense the confidence to play higher up the field, knowing their keeper has things covered behind them.
As the season unfolds, his role remains essential, especially with Charlotte’s ambitions to make a deeper push in the standings. He’s the type of keeper coaches trust implicitly. With the best betting apps in North Carolina already buzzing with MLS projections, Charlotte FC fans can take advantage of the best promos being offered during the season.
Matt Freese (New York City FC)
Matt Freese is thriving at New York City FC, leading all MLS goalkeepers in save percentage this season. His shot-stopping abilities are a key reason NYCFC has remained competitive.
What makes Freese’s story even more compelling is his unique path—leaving Harvard to pursue a professional soccer career, despite his family’s scientific and academic legacy.
That bold decision has paid off, as Freese is now anchoring one of the most defensively organized squads in the league. His shot reflexes, sharp decision-making, and footwork have turned him into a game-changer for NYCFC and one of the most consistent keepers this season.
Bürki’s Injury and Its Ripple Effect
With Roman Bürki out due to a hand fracture, St. Louis City SC is facing a crucial stretch of games without their defensive leader. Bürki’s clean sheet streak and veteran presence are not easily replaced. His injury raises big questions about the team’s ability to maintain their early dominance.
Backup options will be tested under pressure, and the defense must adjust quickly. St. Louis’ strong start gives them a buffer, but surviving this injury period without a major drop-off will depend on collective discipline and tactical changes. Bürki’s absence will be felt on every cross, shot, and set piece.
Advanced Metrics and What They Reveal
Traditional stats like save percentage remain relevant, but goalkeeper efficiency metrics such as the +2.3 for Daniel and +2.0 for Dos Santos offer deeper insight. These numbers adjust for shot quality and context, highlighting keepers who go beyond average expectations. Daniel’s +2.3 shows he’s making difficult saves others wouldn’t, while Dos Santos’ +2.0 in his rookie year proves he’s thriving under pressure.
These stats are becoming critical in evaluating keeper impact and offer teams better tools for scouting, developing, and making lineup decisions. Efficiency ratings are the new benchmark in a league increasingly driven by data.
Young Stars and the Changing Guard
CJ Dos Santos represents the next wave of elite MLS goalkeepers. His sharp instincts, confidence in distribution, and early statistical success suggest he’s not just a temporary standout but a long-term asset.
San Diego FC’s quick rise has a lot to do with his shot-stopping heroics. His +2.0 efficiency rating puts him among the league’s best already. As more young keepers follow his lead, MLS is entering a new era where youth isn’t just depth—it’s frontline talent.
Veteran Reliability in the Spotlight
Veterans like Kristijan Kahlina and Roman Bürki bring more than just saves to the table—they offer structure, leadership, and predictability. Kahlina’s steady presence and Bürki’s early-season excellence with St. Louis are prime examples.
While Bürki’s injury puts a temporary pause on his contributions, his clean sheets and leadership remain unmatched. Kahlina’s ability to stay calm under pressure and make the routine saves look easy is why Charlotte continues to trust him in high-leverage moments. These veterans set the tone for training ground discipline and matchday execution, showing younger keepers what it means to be elite every day.
Goalkeepers Shaping Club Identities
Goalkeepers are no longer just shot-stoppers—they dictate tempo, start counterattacks, and organize defenses. Freese’s distribution at NYCFC and Daniel’s ability to read the game at San Jose exemplify this shift.
Bürki’s vocal command of the backline before his injury helped shape St. Louis’ high-line approach, while Kahlina’s calm presence has influenced Charlotte’s calculated defensive strategy.
These goalkeepers are extensions of their managers on the field, impacting everything from formation choices to how wide defenders push. Their role in shaping identity is more important than ever, and clubs that have elite goalkeepers at the helm are seeing the benefits week after week.
MLS Goalkeeper Landscape in 2025
The 2025 MLS season has delivered a goalkeeper class rich in talent and diversity. From Bürki’s clean sheet mastery and unfortunate injury to Daniel and Dos Santos climbing the efficiency charts, and Freese leading the league in save percentage, each story is unique and impactful.
Kahlina continues to provide balance, while rookies and veterans alike are proving they belong. It’s a season where no single style dominates—shot-stoppers, distributors, and organizers all thrive in different systems. The variety and excellence at the position are making goalkeeper performances one of the biggest talking points in Major League Soccer this year.
