Roman Celentano wins 2023 MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate

FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano has won the 2023 MLS Save of the Year award presented by Allstate for his heroic stoppage-time save in May’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew, the league announced today. 

Deep into second-half stoppage time on May 20 in the Hell is Real derby against the Crew, up 3-2, the visitors set up for a dangerous free kick from just outside Cincinnati’s penalty area. After a flicked-on header found Columbus’ Steven Moreira for a free header inside the six-yard area, Celentano lunged to his right, sprawling his body in the air and pawing away the free header off the goal line, denying a potential equalizer.

Celentano’s incredible save helped secure the rivalry win for FC Cincinnati in front of a sold-out crowd of 25,513 at TQL Stadium. 

Celentano’s award is FC Cincinnati’s first Save of the Year since entering MLS. The MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate was determined by fan votes on MLSsoccer.com, and the award was established in 2009.

MLS Save of the Year winners:
2023: Roman Celentano – FC Cincinnati | 5/20/23 vs. Columbus Crew, 90th minute
2022: Pedro Gallese - Orlando City SC | 7/17/22 vs. Atlanta United, 82nd minute
2021: Stefan Frei – Seattle Sounders FC | 9/18/21 vs. Real Salt Lake, 57th minute
2020: Eloy Room – Columbus Crew SC | 11/4/20 vs. Orlando City SC, 30th minute
2019: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake | 8/24/19 vs. Colorado Rapids, 27th minute
2018: Stefan Frei – Seattle Sounders FC | 7/4/18 vs. Colorado Rapids, 82nd minute
2017: Brad Guzan – Atlanta United | 10/15/17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 65th minute
2016: Joe Bendik – Orlando City SC | 5/15/16 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 45th minute
2015: Adam Kwarasey – Portland Timbers | 8/15/15 vs. Real Salt Lake, 31st minute
2014: Luis Robles – New York Red Bulls | 9/20/14 vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 69th minute
2013: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake | 8/3/13 vs. Colorado Rapids, 53rd minute
2012: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake | 4/14/12 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 75th minute
2011: Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC | 10/15/11 vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 64th minute
2010: Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC | 4/17/10 vs. Kansas City Wizards, 90th minute
2009: Pat Onstad – Houston Dynamo | 4/19/09 vs. Colorado Rapids, 83rd minute

FC Cincinnati will host Philadelphia Union in an Eastern Conference Semifinal showdown at TQL Stadium on either November 25 or 26. Tickets are on sale now at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling (513) 977-5425 (KICK). For more information on FC Cincinnati in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, visit FCCincinnati.com/Playoffs23.