The top goalkeepers in MLS NEXT Pro faced off for the second year in Goalie Wars, part of MLS All-Star in Columbus, Ohio. In the end, the Goalie Wars championship belt is staying in Charlotte with Crown Legacy FC.
A pair of 1-0 wins paved the way for Crown Legacy FC goalkeeper Chituru Odunze to take the championship. He celebrated a second straight victory for a Crown Legacy 'keeper together with 2023 champion Isaac Walker.
In the final, Odunze fended off North Texas SC goalkeeper Michael Collodi's strategy of throwing the ball into the bottom corners, knocking away two well-placed shots.
The opening match between Chattanooga FC's Jean Antoine and Odunze ended in a stalemate, leading to a round of kicks from the mark. Odunze buried his spot kick in the bottom right corner and advanced to the final.
Top-seeded Collodi jumped to a 3-1 lead over Lapkes, then saw out the 4-2 win. That set up Collodi and Odunze to meet in the Goalie Wars final.
