FRISCO, Texas (October 30, 2024) – Major League Soccer today announced that goalkeeper Maarten Paes has claimed the 2024 MLS Save of the Year for his double Penalty Kick save during their match against the LA Galaxy in the 31st minute on May 29, 2024 (watch here).
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.
In 2024, Paes has registered 118 saves in MLS, his highest number of saves in a season since joining FC Dallas and has registered 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.
Paes made his international debut with Indonesia in the September 2024 FIFA window helping the Garuda obtain two points in Saudi Arabia and at home versus Australia. Paes has four total caps for Indonesia most recently playing versus Bahrain and China in October, 2024.
Paes became an MLS All-Star in 2024 and featured in the MLS All-Stars game versus the LIGA MX All-Stars on July 24. Paes received MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday honors in week 8, week 15 (bench), and Week 20 of the 2024 MLS regular season. Paes has earned Team of the Matchday honors nine times since joining Dallas in 2022.
Born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, Paes has previously represented the Netherlands in youth national teams. Paes became an Indonesian citizen in April 2024 thanks to his late grandmother, Nel Appels-van Heystbeing born in the country. FIFA approved his one-time switch in August, 2024.
The 2024 MLS Save of the Year, an award established in 2009, is determined by fan votes on MLSsoccer.com.
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
