Goalkeeper saving season for sizzling Charlotte FC

But this version of Kahlina emerged from a brutal midseason collapse that nearly derailed Charlotte's playoff hopes. Kahlina started 2025 on fire, allowing just seven goals with four clean sheets through nine matches as Charlotte went 6-2-1 and climbed the Eastern Conference standings.

Then came the crash. A 1-0 home loss to New England on April 26 marked the beginning of a nightmare stretch, during which Kahlina allowed 20 goals in seven games. Charlotte limped to 1-6 over that span, and then the unthinkable happened — the team benched the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year for two matches before starting him again against Sporting Kansas City on June 25.

Since reclaiming his starting spot and finding his rhythm again, Kahlina has played exceptionally. Starting with his July 12 performance against New York City FC, he has allowed just three goals in five MLS matches (with three shutouts). The timing couldn't be better.

Charlotte FC is seventh in the Eastern Conference with 41 points, just five points clear of missing the playoffs entirely. (The top nine teams in the conference will qualify.)

The Crown faces a major challenge with leading scorer Pep Biel sidelined four to six weeks with a hamstring injury. Biel's 10 goals and 12 assists represent massive production that Charlotte must replace. Head coach Dean Smith acknowledged the impact.

"The Pep injury came like a bucket of cold water because we know how important he is to us," Smith told The Charlotte Ledger's Carroll Walton.

Charlotte returns to Bank of America Stadium for two matches before visiting New England over Labor Day weekend. The Crown is 9-2-1 at home this season. Five regular-season games remain after that trip.

Wilfried Zaha, who earned a bench spot on the same Matchday squad as Kahlina, must continue to step up in Biel's absence. Charlotte has won five straight and remains unbeaten in its past six league matches (5-0-1).

Kahlina dominated Cincinnati twice this season, recording 15 saves and two clean sheets against the Eastern Conference's second-place team. He made a career-best eight saves in a 2-0 home win on March 15.

The 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year is playing like his award-winning self at the ideal time. Charlotte needs clutch performances from their veteran keeper and increased production from role players to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

With Kahlina's brilliance and home-field advantage, Charlotte controls its playoff fate over the next crucial weeks.