NEW YORK (Reuters) – On Thursday, Roman Burki of St. Louis City was named Major League Soccer’s Goalkeeper of the Year, becoming the first keeper to win the award while playing for an expansion club since 1998.
Burki, who was born in Switzerland, spent seven seasons with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund before joining St. Louis for its inaugural MLS season.
His 17 victories for the team are the most for a first-year MLS goalkeeper since the elimination of shootouts. He allowed 42 goals and made 123 saves, ranking second in MLS this season.
His save percentage of 74.55% ranked fourth among goalkeepers with at least 20 appearances this season. He also recorded eight shutouts.
The last goalkeeper to win the award in the team’s first year was Zach Thornton of Chicago in 1998.
St. Louis City finished the regular season 17-12-5 and atop the Western Conference, but fell to Sporting Kansas City in the first round of the playoffs in two games.
Players, club technical staffs, and the media vote on MLS post-season honors. Burki receives 67.48% of the vote, followed by Roman Celentano of Cincinnati and Pedro Gallese of Orlando City.
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