The 2023 Major League Soccer season has featured some incredible goalkeeping across both conferences.
In the East, Nashville SC’s Joe Willis has continually proven himself, while Roman Burki and Stefan Frei show up in the West every weekend. There’s still a long way to go until playoffs, but these are the top ive goalkeepers in the league at this point in the season…
Roman Burki has been vital in St. Louis City’s first year in the MLS. The Switzerland international, who has played for Bundesliga clubs Freiburg and Borrusia Dortmund, has kept three clean sheets this season but has conceded only 13 goals, which is the fifth-lowest in the league.
Burki’s strong performances have helped the expansion side soar to third place in the Western Conference with a goal difference of + 13. St. Louis will lean on Burki’s experience in their push to make the playoffs.
LAFC have been dominant thus far in the 2023 season in the league and in the CCL. John McCarthy has been key on both fronts, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only nine goals. McCarthy was primarily a backup last season, but his heroics in the 2022 MLS Cup final and his performances this season has shown that he is a true No. 1 for LAFC moving forwards.
The 30-year-old’s standout play has aided LAFC’s solid goal difference of + 13. The Black and Gold know that they can count on McCarthy when the pressure is on, just as they did in this year’s CCL semifinals.
FC Cincinnati are currently leading the race for the Supporter’s Shield while leading the Eastern Conference and Roman Celentano has played his part. The 23-year-old is in his second season with Cincinnati and is second in the league in clean sheets with six. Celentano has conceded 14 goals this campaign.
Cincinnati hope to build on their strong start to the season to capture the Supporter’s Shield and top the Eastern Conference behind Celentano’s shot-stopping heroics.
Nashville SC have been one of the most in-form teams in the MLS in recent weeks with Joe Willis leading the way. The 34-year-old struggled at times last season giving the ball away, but has improved tremendously this season.
Willis has kept six clean sheets and kept nine goals this campaign. Nashville has surged up to second in the Eastern Conference behind Willis’ performances and look to establish firm footing for the playoffs.
Another Switzerland international makes the list as the Seattle Sounders have once again relied on Sten Frei’s shot-stopping abilities as they currently sit second in the Western Conference. Frei has amassed the most shutouts in the league with seven and has conceded 13 goals.
The 37-year-old has been with Seattle since 2014 and has made 330 appearances for the club. The expectation is always high with the Sounders, and Frei has not disappointed this season as they look to capture silverware.
