As the curtain closes on the 2024 Major League Soccer season, many eyes are still on the stars of the show, the goal-scorers. D.C. United’s Christian Benteke claimed the top goalscoring award, while Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi made a late push with goals in the final weeks of the season. Meanwhile, the Herons are also making headlines as they achieved the greatest regular season in MLS history with 74 points.
However, as fans watch the final whistle at the end of each match, it’s easy to forget that a strong defensive foundation is essential for success in the competitive world of MLS. Two players, Yeimar Gómez and Kristijan Kahlina, have consistently demonstrated this importance as they power their respective Seattle Sounders and Charlotte FC teams to spots in the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs.
Kahlina, the 33-year-old veteran goalkeeper, has cemented himself as the best in the league. He kept the joint-most clean sheets (12) and conceded the least amount of goals (37) while appearing in all 34 of Charlotte’s matches. His impressive 76% save percentage and ability to save the one penalty attempt he faced have earned him an iconic status at the club.
Kahlina has been instrumental in guiding Charlotte to a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference, just one point off of Orlando City for a top-four finish. As the team looks to make a deep run in the Cup playoffs, Kahlina’s consistency will be crucial in keeping his team in every match as he did this year.
Meanwhile, Yeimar Gómez, a 32-year-old center-back, has been a stalwart in the Seattle defense. Since joining the team in 2020, Gómez has consistently been a key component of the Sounders backline, and this season was no exception. He made 30 appearances, helping his team to keep 11 clean sheets and concede the fewest amount of goals in the league (35).
Gómez’s individual statistics are equally impressive. He recorded 2.1 interceptions-per-game, 5.1 clearances-per-game, and was shown just five yellow cards across the entire season to lead Seattle to a fourth-placed finish in the Western Conference.
As the playoffs begin, fans can expect to see more of these impressive defensive performances from Gómez and Kahlina. These two players have set the standard for consistency and excellence, and their teams’ success will largely depend on their continued heroics at the back.
