Major League Soccer today announced that FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes has claimed the 2024 MLS Save of the Year for his double Penalty Kick save during Dallas' match against the LA Galaxy in the 31st minute on May 29, 2024.
This marks the first time an FC Dallas goalkeeper has won MLS Save of the Year.
Paes initially blocked Gabriel Pec's first penalty shot, but the ball rebounded, allowing Pec a second attempt. With a quick reaction, Paes made another remarkable save. The LA Galaxy went for a third shot but were eventually flagged for offsides.
"It's always nice to get rewarded, it was a nice save," said goalkeeper Maarten Paes in the club's issued press release. "We had a lot of penalty saves this year. Double saves, triple saves, are some of my favorite saves. It's always an honor to win and to represent this club and win a trophy for them, but I want to win team trophies. I think they're way more special and important than personal trophies. I'm happy with it. Thanks for the support, as always, our fans are massive and continue to support us."
In 2024, Paes registered 118 saves in MLS, his highest number of saves in a season since joining FC Dallas, and had five clean sheets. Paes recorded six straight games with five or more saves from May 15 to June 18, 2024, and made a career-high nine saves against LAFC on June 1.
A full list of previous MLS Save of the Year award winners can be found below:
All-Time MLS Save of the Year Winners
- 2024: Maarten Paes – FC Dallas 5/29/24 vs. LA Galaxy, 31st min
- 2023: Roman Celentano – FC Cincinnati 5/20/23 vs. Columbus Crew, 90th min
- 2022: Pedro Gallese – Orlando City SC 7/17/22 vs. Atlanta United, 82nd min
- 2021: Stefan Frei – Seattle Sounders FC 9/18/21 vs. Real Salt Lake, 57th min
- 2020: Eloy Room – Columbus Crew SC 11/4/20 vs. Orlando City SC, 30th min
- 2019: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake 8/24/19 vs. Colorado Rapids, 27th min
- 2018: Stefan Frei – Seattle Sounders FC 7/4/18 vs. Colorado Rapids, 82nd min
- 2017: Brad Guzan – Atlanta United 10/15/17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 65th min
- 2016: Joe Bendik – Orlando City SC 5/15/16 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 45th min
- 2015: Adam Kwarasey – Portland Timbers 8/15/15 vs. Real Salt Lake, 31st min
- 2014: Luis Robles – New York Red Bulls 9/20/14 vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 69th min
- 2013: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake 8/3/13 vs. Colorado Rapids, 53rd min
- 2012: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake 4/14/12 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 75th min
- 2011: Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC 10/15/11 vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 64th min
- 2010: Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC 4/17/10 vs. Kansas City Wizards, 90th min
- 2009: Pat Onstad – Houston Dynamo 4/19/09 vs. Colorado Rapids, 83rd min
