The best goalkeepers in MLS history have been more than shot-stoppers — they’ve etched themselves into the very fabric of the league. In this article, DeutKick will guide you through the legends, the records, and the moments that define the greatness between the posts in Major League Soccer.
Why goalkeepers matter in MLS lore
It’s easy to remember strikers for their goals, midfielders for their magic — but a goalkee, when we ask who belongs among the best goalkeepers in MLS history, our criteria extend beyond raw stats: consistency, impact in big games, longevity, and recognition by peers and awards all count.
In this list, you’ll see names that dominate record books, but also those whose peak runs nonetheless left a lasting mark.
The all-time statistical monarch: Nick Rimando
Nick Rimando is the undisputed king of MLS goalkeeping records. By the time he retired, he held the all-time marks for most regular-season games (514), most minutes played (46,336), and most clean sheets — officially recorded at 154.
He also topped the league in total saves during his career, surpassing Kevin Hartman. In a single season, he saved 1,476 shots across his career—no other goalkee. occer]) Add to that his penalty-saving prowess, and you begin to understand why many consider him the greatest ever in MLS history.
While Rimando never won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award (he placed top three several times), his consistency over nearly two decades, especially with Real Salt Lake, cements his status.
The savior in saves: Kevin Hartman
If Rimando reigns by accumulation, Kevin Hartman built his legend through sheer shot-stopping. Hartman remains one of the all-time leaders in saves in MLS history, known for his spectacular reflexes and agility. edia])
Over a 17-season MLS career, Hartman accumulated 416 appearances. He was known for his consistency and durability, traits essential to any candidacy for greatest goalkeeper. He claimed the MLS Goalkee. His performances in high-pressure moments helped his teams punch above expectations.
Two-time winner with big-moment reputation: Joe Cannon
Joe Cannon is a name that often appears when talking about elite MLS shot-stoppers. He won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award twice (2002, 2004) and had multiple runner-up finishes. Over his career, he registered 86 shutouts, ranking fourth in league history at one point.
Cannon’s reputation is built on both his regular-season consistency and his ability to deliver in big games. He helped the San Jose Earthquakes win the MLS Cup in 2001. During his tenure, he posted club records in things like saves and shutouts, becoming a franchise legend.
Defensive architect and team leader: Pat Onstad
Pat Onstad deserves a prime spot among the best goalkeepers in MLS history because he paired shot-stopping with leadership. The Canadian international spent 11 seasons in MLS and collected two MLS Goalkeeper of the Year awards (2003, 2005).
His peak came during San Jose’s dominant run: he helped win MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield, while posting an exceptional 1.08 goals-against average and 75.4% save rate. Later, as Houston Dynamo’s starting keeper, he guided them to back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. Onstad’s blend of consistency, shot-stopping, and leadership across multiple clubs underscores his place in MLS history.
Modern-era fault lines: Stefan Frei & Andre Blake
As MLS has evolved, newer goalkeepers have begun staking their claims among the legends.
Stefan Frei
A seismic moment in his career came in the 2016 MLS Cup final, when his incredible save in extra time preserved Seattle Sounders’ title hopes. Frei has also demonstrated longevity: by 2023, he had logged over 100 MLS clean sheets, becoming just the third goalkee. Wikipedia]) His ability to deliver under pressure, especially in playoff and international competition (e.g. CONCACAF Champions League) sets him apart.
Andre Blake
Blake is still active, but his resume already demands respect. He has won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award three times—more than anyone else so far. In standout seasons, he’s led MLS in save percentage, goals allowed, and wins, particularly during the 2020 campaign when he posted a 77.8% save rate and eight clean sheets. If he sustains this form into the next decade, Blake could well finish this list among the very top.
Other worthy mentions & honorable mentions
Beyond the names above, these goalkeepers deserve acknowledgement:
- Tim Melia — A rock for Sporting Kansas City over many seasons, and winner of the Goalkee.
- Matt Reis — Holds legacy status as New England Revolution’s all-time leader in many goalkeeping categories: appearances, wins, saves, shutouts, and more.
- Zach Thornton — A key early MLS kee.
- Luis Robles, Bill Hamid, Kasey Keller, among others, often appear in top-10 lists for various seasons or peak runs, though they may lack the sustained statistics or awards to displace the names above.
Ranking factors: What we weighed
To determine who truly belongs among the best goalkeepers in MLS history, here’s what mattered most:
- Statistical dominancee.g., clean sheets, saves, minutes, starts)
- Award recognition
- Longevity and consistency across seasons
- Big-game performance (playoff saves, cup finals)
- Leadership and influence in his team’s defensive identity
Many who don’t make your immediate mental list may excel in just one or two categories — but to sit among elites, you need a blend.
Conclusion
The best goalkeepers in MLS history are more than record holders: they are guardians of legacies, sowers of consistency, and deliverers in the moments that define seasons. Nick Rimando’s statistical ascendancy, Kevin Hartman’s spectacular shot-stopping, Cannon’s clutch performances, Onstad’s leadership, Frei’s heroics, and Blake’s rising dominance all weave together the tapestry of MLS goalkeeping lore.
If you want deep dives into any of these players, let DeutKick be your go-to. Drop a comment telling us which goalkeeper you’d pick in your all-time MLS XI — and share this with fellow fans who live for those last-line-of-defense moments.
