December 5, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Charlotte FC News Release
Kristijan Kahlina had a tough start to his second year with Charlotte FC. Off on holiday with his family ahead of 2023 preseason, the Croatian goalkeeper was struggling physically.
“Last winter at my holidays was really tough, because all the time I had pain,” said Kahlina, speaking from a much more relaxing holiday this time around. “It was more in my leg than in my back, and when I came back to Charlotte, we immediately did an MRI and it showed that I needed surgery [on my back].”
After the surgery, Kahlina’s back pain and stiffness went away immediately, but he did have lingering pain in his leg for up to a month and a half due to some nerve damage from the initial injury. As he patiently followed the surgery recovery process, he missed all of preseason and CLTFC’s first 10 league games while slowly ramping up his involvement in training and eventually returning to pain-free activity.
The Croatian returned to game action for the first time on April 14th – nearly 3 months after his surgery – in a 3-0 home win for Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte FC’s MLS NEXT Pro side.
The opponent that day? Inter Miami II. In retrospect, almost a prophetic sign of what was to come on the final day of the MLS regular season.
“Kristijan Kahlina!” screamed Jake Zivin, the Apple TV play-by-play commentator for that Decision Day clash versus Inter Miami. “A save to save the season!”
“This may be the MLS Save of the Year…” responded Taylor Twellman, his broadcast partner on the night. “Kahlina on Wednesday night [2-2 draw away at Miami] came up with five huge saves, but in all of 2023, none bigger than this fingertip save!”
Before THAT save on Decision Day, though, Kahlina had already put together an excellent season. According to several advanced analytics providers, he was an elite keeper in MLS with a top ten standing in many key metrics.
Per fbRef, the Croatian saved 4.5 more goals than the average, based on the quality of shots he faced (expected goals) minus the goals he actually conceded. That +4.5 mark put him 5th in the league and in great company.
Burki (STL) +9.1
Daniel (SJ) +7.3
Petrovich (former NE) +6.0
Paes (FCD) +4.6
Kahlina (CLT) +4.5
Blake (PHI) +4.1
Willis (NSH) +3.8
Frei (SEA) +3.1
Stuver (ATX) +2.0
McCarthy (LAFC) +1.5
American Soccer Analysis measured Kahlina similarly, placing him 6th overall with +3.9 Goals Added.
Essentially, his impact was the same as if he was the third-leading goal scorer…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Outdoor Soccer News…