Maxime Crépeau Wins Canada Vs Ireland Starting Job for Friday Night
Maxime Crépeau will start for Canada in canada vs ireland on Friday night at Stade Saputo in Montreal, a decision that settles the team’s goalkeeper race for now. Jesse Marsch made the call on Thursday, ending a tightly contested battle with Dayne St. Clair that had stretched close to two years.
Crépeau Gets the Nod
The choice gives Canada a clear starter in goal as it moves through its final World Cup tune-up. The team opens its World Cup campaign on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, so this is the last major lineup call before the tournament begins.
Crépeau and St. Clair had been locked in a long competition, and Marsch’s decision finally tips that fight toward the veteran option for Ireland. It also gives Canada a chance to settle one of the few major roster questions still hanging over the group.
Bombito Still Under Watch
Moïse Bombito remains the other major issue inside the camp. He started in Canada’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Edmonton earlier this week, then came off in the 32nd minute and did not train with the team on Thursday.
His path back has already been difficult. Bombito had not played for club or country since last October before the Uzbekistan match, after suffering a left tibia fracture while on duty with OGC Nice.
Marsch has been cautious about the centre back’s workload. “We're being patient with Moise. We're kind of going step by step. He had a bit of a reaction after the game in Uzbekistan, so it's taking a little bit more time. But again, he's a guy that we're giving every opportunity to rebound from this and show that he can be ready to play. And we haven't even started talking about secondary options or anything else because we're focused on making sure that we give him every opportunity,” he said on Thursday.
Flores Loss, Montreal Options
Canada is also dealing with the loss of Marcelo Flores, who ruptured his ACL in the Concacaf Champions Cup final a day after being named to the roster last week. He was hurt in the 77th minute while playing for Tigres UANL against Deportivo Toluca, and nations have until the day before their opening World Cup game to replace outfield players with serious injuries.
Three players who were not on the original roster are already in Montreal and training with the group: Zorhan Bassong, Ralph Priso and Jayden Nelson. Priso and Nelson came off the bench in the second half against Uzbekistan, so Canada at least has bodies in camp if more changes are needed before June 12.
