The best goalkeepers of the 2023 MLS season - ranked
- A couple of MLS veterans make the list
- One first-year shot-stopper makes an appearance
- Former Bundesliga goalkeeper cracks the top five
The 2023 Major League Soccer season saw goalkeepers across the competition pull off stunning saves to give their teams a chance at winning games.
Several familiar faces stepped up yet again to save the day for their teams, while some fresh faces carved their way into the MLS history books in their young playing careers.
Here are the top five goalkeepers from the 2023 MLS season.
5. Roman Burki - St Louis CITY
A huge portion of St Louis CITY's success in their inaugural MLS season came down to the presence of former Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper Roman Burki.
In 33 starts for the Western Conference side, Burki registered an impressive 123 saved to go along with eight clean sheets. His 42 goals conceded isn't too shabby either, as he played his part in St Louis' trip to the top of the Western Conference table as they ended the regular season with the most wins ever by an expansion side with 17.
4. Pedro Gallese - Orlando City
Pedro Gallese keeps showing up and showing out as Orlando City's starting goalkeeper.
The Lions have reached new heights with the Peru international in between the sticks in his four seasons with the club, and the 2023 campaign was no different. The 33-year-old set a new career-high in clean sheets with 10 while also conceding just 33 goals in 30 games played with 79 saves.
3. Patrick Schulte - Columbus Crew
Patrick Schulte announced himself to the MLS world in some fashion with Columbus Crew.
After a successful year with Columbus Crew 2 in MLS Next Pro where his side were crowned champions and he was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year, there was a little pressure for Schulte to step up at the first-team level.
He's done that and much more. In his first campaign as an MLS starting shot-stopper, the 22-year-old made 90 saves, kept seven clean sheets and conceded 43 goals in 31 appearances. But more importantly, he came up clutch down the stretch of MLS Cup playoffs to propel Columbus to their second MLS Cup in four seasons.
2. Roman Celentano - FC Cincinnati
After a taste of first-team soccer in 2022 with FC Cincinnati, Roman Celentano upped his game to the next level in the 2023 campaign.
Celentano was critical to FCC's first-ever trophy in the 2023 Supporters' Shield, conceding just 37 goals in 33 games played to go along with his 12 clean sheets kept and 87 total saves made. Celentano looks set to keep the Orange and Blue defense in check for years to come as they look toward the 2024 season.
1. Stefan Frei - Seattle Sounders
Stefan Frei was a pending free agent after Seattle Sounders' 2023 postseason run, but the front office worked diligently to bring the 37-year-old shot-stopper back to Lumen Field for an additional two seasons after an incredible 2023 campaign.
Frei continues to age like a fine wine, as his 14 clean sheets in 2023 were second to none in MLS while also conceding just 28 goals in 32 games played (that works out to .88 goals conceded per game) and making 77 saves. Although one club legend in Nicolas Lodeiro left the club earlier this month, another is coming back for more success in the shape of Frei.
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