In 2025, top 5 best goalkeepers mls 2025 are defining matches week after week with razor-sharp saves, clean sheets, and leadership. KottuGoal will take you through the five standouts — the goalkeepers who are proving indispensable for their teams — based on stats like clean sheets, save percentage, saves made, and overall impact.
What Makes a Kee, we look at:
- Clean sheets (CS): How many games they’ve kept the net untouched.
- Save percentage (SV%): Ratio of saves to shots on target.
- Goals conceded per game / per 90 minutes (GA/90): Fewer is better.
- Big-game performance: Comes up with key stops in tough fixtures.
- Consistency & minutes played: Reliability over the season.
Below are the top 5 goalkeepers in MLS 2025 — those balancing all these metrics at elite level.
The Top 5 Best Goalkeepers MLS 2025
Here are the five who, to date, rise above the rest.
1. Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
- Takaoka leads the clean sheet charts: he has kept 11 clean sheets in 27 games.
- His goals against are modest given number of matches – he’s conceded 31 goals in those games. spn.com)
- Outstanding reflexes and consistency make him the benchmark this season. Constantly under pressure, he still posts a solid save record.
Why he’s #1: high clean sheet total + playing nearly every game = enormous value for Vancouver’s defense.
2. Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC)
- Tied near top for clean sheets — 9 clean sheets in 25 starts.
- Among the best SV% in MLS: around.775.
- Strong in one-on-ones, and his command of the box helps Minnesota stay in games where the defense is under strain.
3. Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC)
- 2024’s MLS Goalkee, and he’s continuing form into 2025.
- He has posted 9 clean sheets and is consistently high up in save percentage, roughly .730 or better depending on source.
- Key performances in tight matches give Charlotte confidence, especially on the road.
4. Carlos Miguel Coronel (New York Red Bulls)
- Also in the top echelons of clean sheets: he has 9 clean sheets in roughly 27–28 games.
- His save counts are high; opponents fire many shots, and Coronel often makes the difference.
- A keeper with good shot stopping + good moments of composure under pressure.
5. Hugo Lloris (Los Angeles FC)
- Big name, big reputation. 9 clean sheets in 24 starts so far.
- Save percentage lower than St. Clair, Kahlina, etc., but his leadership, experience, and ability to organize the defence count for a lot. LAFC rely on him in big matches.
Honourable Mentions
These keepers fall just short but merit recognition:
- Joe Willis: Consistently in clean sheet / saves conversation.
- CJ Dos Santos (San Diego FC): Big games, good saving stats.
- Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati): Durable, often tested.
Comparative Snapshot
Here’s how some of these keepers stack up on a few key metrics:
| Keeper | Clean Sheets | Save Percentage | GA per 90 | Games Started |
| Yohei Takaoka | ~11 | mid-.650s to.660s | ~1.15−1.30 | ~27 |
| Dayne St. Clair | ~9 | ~.775 | lower GA/90 than many | ~25 |
| Kristijan Kahlina | ~9 | ~.730−.740 | solid, decent | ~27 |
| Carlos Coronel | ~9 | ~.670−.680 | slightly higher GA/90 | ~28 |
| Hugo Lloris | ~9 | ~.630−.640 | more variable performances | ~24 |
These numbers show that while clean sheets are roughly even among several top keepers, the save percentage and goals conceded per match often separate the top-tier.
Trends & What To Watch
- MLS teams with strong defensive lines and good goalkeeping are staying competitive. Keepers like Kahlina and St. Clair benefit when the front-line presses and back-line keeps shape.
- Consistency in minutes matters: goalkeepers who are regular starters (no injuries, no rotation) are more influential over the course of the season.
- Experience counts: big names (Lloris) or those with high-pressure backgrounds often bring more stability and leadership, which boosts team confidence even when stats are close.
Conclusion
In summary, top 5 best goalkeepers mls 2025 are:
- Yohei Takaoka
- Dayne St. Clair
- Kristijan Kahlina
- Carlos Coronel
- Hugo Lloris
Each has earned a place through a blend of clean sheets, high save rates, and the ability to make match-defining stops. These men aren’t just goalkeepers — they’re the last line of defense, and often the difference between points gained or dropped.
KottuGoal hopes this deep dive helped you appreciate who is really standing tall between the sticks in MLS this season. Want to compare more keepers by metrics? Or see top goalkeepers by region? Let me know and I’ll pull that together next.
