Earlier today, Major League Soccer announced that the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award will go to Minnesota United's Dayne St. Clair. New York City FC's Matt Freese is the runner-up after finishing second in the vote.
Freese led St. Clair in votes cast by players and clubs. But the media overwhelmingly voted for St. Clair, delivering the award to the Minnesota goalkeeper. Overall, St. Clair totaled 29.40 percent of the votes, while Freese followed behind with 17.32 percent. Yohei Takaoka of Vancouver Whitecaps came third, with 15.49 percent of the vote.
Statistically, St. Clair had the strongest season among the three. Per FBRef, he led the league in save percentage (79.9), totaled 111 saves, and recorded 10 shutouts. He's a big reason why Minnesota conceded just 39 goals this season, the second-fewest in the Western Conference and third-fewest in MLS. The 28-year-old has made 13 appearances for Canada since the start of 2024, and seems likely to beat out Maxime Crépeau for the starting spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The strongest numbers in Freese's career came in his breakout 20204 season. But his 2025 was still a solid year. He logged a career-high eight clean sheets, made 91 saves, and recorded a 70.2 save percentage. New York City was better defensively this season overall, conceding 44 goals compared to 49 last year. In September, Freese signed a contract extension that will keep him at NYCFC through 2030.
In addition, Freese has started 10 straight games for the United States men's national team, and is in a prime position to be the No 1 at the World Cup.
Matthew Mangam
Hudson River Blue Staff
Freese is the first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year finalist in New York City history. Arguably, his debut nomination should have come in 2024, but after finally getting credited by MLS this year, Freese justifiably finished as a runner-up to St. Clair.
It's not something that will phase Freese, though, as the 27-year-old has his eyes set on succeeding with NYCFC and the USMNT.
"You need a name for yourself before MLS starts to notice you; that’s just the reality," Freese said on not being nominated for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024. "I didn't really care too much about the MLS recognition side of things."
