The Lineup Loses Its Shape
Maxime Crepeau will start in goal for Canada at the FIFA World Cup. Head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed the decision on Thursday after Crepeau shared minutes with Dayne St. Clair during Monday's friendly against Uzbekistan.
Crepeau is slated to begin Canada's friendly against Ireland on Friday, which serves as the final tune-up before Canada's World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina next Friday.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
"Max's maturity and experience, I think, is exactly what we need in the goal, along with all of his goalkeeping qualities," Marsch said.
The Replacement Question
The goalkeeper battle had lingered for months with little separating Crepeau from St. Clair, the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. St. Clair had acknowledged the tension earlier this year, saying both players understand the situation comes with genuine competition.
For the forward spot vacated by injured Marcelo Flores, Marsch indicated a decision will come after Friday's match. Canada has until June 11 at 3 p.m. ET to name a replacement. Jayden Nelson, who scored Canada's second goal in the 2-0 win over Uzbekistan, was highlighted as a candidate.
Flores suffered a ruptured ACL on Saturday, one day after making Canada's roster. The injury occurred during CONCACAF Champions Cup play with Tigres UNAL.
The Waiting Game
Crepeau, 32, is the most senior of Canada's three goalkeepers. He missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after breaking his leg during the MLS Cup Final with Los Angeles FC, a team that went on to win on penalties.