Canada coach picks Dayne St. Clair to start in goal in Gold Cup quarterfinal
MINNEAPOLIS – Dayne St. Clair has earned the starting job in goal for 30th-ranked Canada against No. 106 Guatemala in Sunday's quarterfinal at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
St. Clair started in the 6-0 win over No. 75 Honduras and 1-1 draw with No. 90 Curaçao while Maxime Crepeau was in goal for the final Group B game, a 2-0 decision over No. 81 El Salvador on Tuesday in Houston.
Prior to Sunday, St. Clair and Crepeau had each started 10 games under coach Jesse Marsch. In choosing St. Clair for the knockout round, Marsch has elevated the Minnesota United 'keeper in the pecking order.
'(Dayne) has been, I think, outstanding in the tournament and clearly, in training also, very, very strong,' Marsch told a news conference Saturday. 'That being said, I want to also say this has never been an easy decision and our belief in Max is at the highest level as well. And he's trained really well and been really sharp
'I think Dayne has done enough to earn this opportunity. And in this knockout stage, we're trying to put what we think is the team that is the most prepared and most ready for what these matches will be. And for right now for me that's Dayne.'
St. Clair was the lone Canadian named to the Major League Soccer all-star team earlier this week. The 28-year-old from Pickering, Ont., is tied for the MLS lead in shutouts with eight and has made 43 saves in 16 matches.
St. Clair has kept six clean sheets in 14 appearances for Canada. The 31-year-old Crepeau, a native of Candiac, Que., who plays for the Portland Timbers, has eight shutouts in 26 Canada appearances.
Guatemala, meanwhile, has lost goalkeeper Nicho Hagen, a backup with the Columbus Crew, to injury.
Sunday's game will be played on a temporary grass surface at the 73,000-capacity U.S. Bank Stadium, home to the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
'I think the quality of replacement pitches that we have now is much, much better than when I played,' said the 51-year-old Marsch, a former U.S. international.
Canada is 10-2-2 all-time against Guatemala and unbeaten in the last five meetings (4-0-1), dating back to a 2-0 loss in August 2004 in World Cup qualifying in Burnaby, B.C. The teams played to a scoreless draw the last time they met, in group play at the 2023 Gold Cup.
'I know we're not the favourite team,' Guatemala coach Luis Fernando Tena said through an interpreter. 'We understand that. We know the stakes — they're very high right now, specifically for Canada. But, well, surprises always come in soccer. So we have faith in us.'
Canada had hoped to get influential midfielder Stephan Eustaquio back, with Portugal's FC Porto out of the FIFA Club World Cup. But Marsch said Saturday that Porto, which failed to advance out of the group stage at 0-2-1, had gone back on its word and refused to release him.
Canada previously lost Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio and Vancouver Whitecaps winger Ali Ahmed to injury, leaving its tournament roster at 23 instead of 26.
The Canadian men, who won the tournament in 2000, are in the quarterfinals for the fifth straight edition.
Canada survived a physical affair with El Salvador, which had two players sent off. Marsch said he did not expect the same kind of physicality from Guatemala.
'They've got some speed and creativity up front and some strong defensive players on the backline,' he said.
'I think they're athletic, maybe a little bit more athletic than El Salvador but I think more disciplined,' he added. 'I don't think we're going to see such a wild performance as what El Salvador delivered. But at the same time I think it will be very spirited. And they will try to set the tone early, that it's not going to be an easy day for us.'
Guatemala finished runner-up to No. 33 Panama in Group C, beating No. 63 Jamaica 1-0 and unranked Guadeloupe 3-2 and losing 1-0 to Panama.
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
Guatemala looks to reach the tournament semifinals for just the second time, following 1996 when it lost 1-0 to eventual champion Mexico. The Guatemala roster features four MLS players including Hagen and 18-year-old CF Montreal midfielder Olger Escobar.
Sunday's winner will face either the 16th-ranked U.S. or No. 54 Costa Rica in Wednesday's semifinal in St. Louis.
Tajon Buchanan and Nathan Saliba lead Canada with two goals apiece. Acting captain Jonathan David, meanwhile, has seven goals in seven appearances at the tournament and leads Canada in all-time Gold Cup scoring.
—
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
27 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps felt ‘villainized' after retirement
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps said she felt villainized after she announced her retirement from international soccer ahead of the European Championship. Earps became a national hero for her role in England's victory at the last Euros in 2022 and its run to the World Cup final a year later. But she has spoken out about the treatment she received when deciding to end her England career last month — just weeks before the team starts its defense of the trophy in Switzerland. Earps did not specify where the criticism came from, but said it was 'difficult and it was painful' and that she was 'villainized in a way.' The 32-year-old Paris Saint-Germain keeper won the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after the World Cup, in which she collected the golden glove for the best goalkeeper in the tournament and also saved a penalty in the final. At the time of her retirement, Earps said she was stepping aside to give an opportunity to a younger generation. Speaking to the podcast 'Fearne Cotton's Happy Place,' she said it was difficult to see her friends and family dealing with comments made about her decision. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'I know you've seen something and then I'm like upset for them because I'm like 'You didn't choose this, you've got to now deal with this,' and I'm then gutted for them,' she said. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
From Basel to Zurich: Discover the cities and stadiums hosting Euro 2025
The Women's European Championship will be played in eight cities across Switzerland. The 31 matches will be spread across Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Sion, St. Gallen, Thun and Zurich. The opening game features Iceland against Finland on Wednesday at Arena Thun. Four of the stadiums have held matches in the men's European Championship, when Switzerland co-hosted the tournament with Austria in 2008. Here's a closer look at the cities and stadiums: Basel Commonly considered to be the cultural capital of Switzerland, Basel boasts a rich history and is home to the oldest public art collection in the world, housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel since 1661. Basel is Switzerland's third-most-populous city and is situated in the northwest of the country, bordering both France and Germany. The Dreiländereck of Basel, also known as the tripoint, is a monument marking the exact point where the borders meet. Tennis great Roger Federer was born in Basel and is a big fan of its local soccer team. Stadium: St. Jakob-Park is Switzerland's largest soccer venue, with a capacity of 34,250. It will host five matches, including the final on July 27 and the home nation's opening match on Wednesday. It is the home of Swiss national champion Basel so has regularly hosted Champions League matches as well as Euro 2008 quarterfinals and a semifinal, and a Europa League final in 2016. The stadium is nicknamed 'Joggeli' by the fans — a diminutive of 'Jakob' in the local dialect. It has also hosted many concerts. Bern Switzerland's federal capital is located in the west-central part of the country. Bern city center is largely medieval and has been recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural World Heritage Site. The most famous sights are the Zytglogge, an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets, and the Münster, an impressive 15th century Gothic cathedral — the tallest in Switzerland. There is also a museum dedicated to Albert Einstein, at his former residence. Stadium: Stadion Wankdorf is the country's second-largest soccer stadium, with a capacity of 29,800. It is the home of the Young Boys soccer team. The venue opened in 2005 and was built on the grounds of the stadium that hosted the 1954 World Cup final. Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Red Hot Chilli Peppers are among those to have played concerts in the stadium. It will host four matches at Euro 2025, including World Cup winner Spain's opening match against Portugal on July 3 as well as a quarterfinal. Geneva The second-most populous city in Switzerland, Geneva is a center for international diplomacy and finance. It hosts the highest number of international organizations in the world — including the European headquarters of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the Red Cross. The city is located in southwestern Switzerland, almost encircled by the French border, in a picturesque basin at the tip of Lake Geneva and has a clear view of Mont Blanc, the highest Alpine peak. Stadium: Stade de Genève has a capacity of 26,750 and was completed in 2003 after three years of construction. It hosted three group stage games during Euro 2008 and held other international fixtures, notably a friendly between Argentina and Portugal in 2011 — the first time Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo faced each other while playing for their countries. It regularly holds rugby matches and even ice hockey games. It will host five matches at Euro 2025, including a quarterfinal and semifinal. Lucerne With a population of approximately 83,000 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in central Switzerland. It boasts the oldest covered bridge in Europe, built in 1333. It also has a colorful old town, where the buildings are decorated with murals depicting village life and hunting scenes from the olden days. That adds to the picturesque quality of Lucerne, which is set on the shores of Lake Lucerne and the River Reuss. Stadium: Allmend Stadion Luzern, which opened in 2011, was completely rebuilt after the previous stadium was deemed no longer suitable for use in the Swiss Super League. It has a matchday capacity of 14,350 and will be used for three group stage matches — all involving the two tournament debutants, Poland and Wales. Sion Situated near the Italian and French borders, Sion is one of the driest and sunniest areas of Switzerland. Sion is one of Europe's most significant prehistoric sites with the first settlements dating back to 6200 BC. The city is dotted with hills, the highest of which is Tourbillon with the ruins of a castle. On the opposite hill stands the Basilique de Valère, which houses the oldest playable organ in the world, built in the early 1430s. Sion has had multiple bids to host the Winter Olympics but never won. Stadium: The Stade de Tourbillon is the smallest of all the venues for Euro 2025 as it has a matchday capacity of just 7,750. It has nevertheless hosted a number of men's international matches, including one of Switzerland's qualifiers for Euro 2020. It is named after the castle that overlooks the city. St. Gallen Nestled in a northeastern valley between Lake Constance and the Appenzell Alps, St. Gallen is one of the highest cities in Switzerland. Its university is considered one of the best business schools in Europe and its Abbey District, which includes a medieval monastic library, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stadium: Arena St. Gallen opened in 2008 and will have a capacity of 16,300 at Euro 2025, where it will host three group stage matches — including defending champion England's game against Wales. The city's largest solar-electric power plant was installed on the stadium roof in 2015. The system was expanded at the start of this year and will now generate enough solar power for the needs of approximately 288 four-person households. Thun Thun is located about 30 kilometers southeast of Bern, where the river Aare flows out of Lake Thun. It has stunning views of the Bernese Alps. There is also a 12th-century castle, with impressive turrets, overlooking the old town. Stadium: Arena Thun is the second smallest of the venues, with a capacity of 8,100. It opened in 2011 and was built on the site of the old stadium. Natural turf will be laid over the existing artificial turf for the three group stage matches it will host during Euro 2025, including world champion Spain against Belgium. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Zurich Zurich is the most populous city in Switzerland and lies in the north of the country near the Alps. The Old Town stretches on both sides of the river Limmat, which flows out of Lake Zurich. It is an international hub for banking and insurance and also the home to FIFA. Stadium: Stadion Letzigrund has a capacity of 22,700 and is home to an athletics club and three soccer teams. Concerts have been staged there as well as men's and women's international matches and three group stage games at Euro 2008. It will host five matches at Euro 2025, including two of defending champion England's group games and a quarterfinal and semifinal. In 1960, Armin Hary became the first man to run 100 meters in 10 seconds on the track at the old Letzigrund stadium, which was demolished and rebuilt, reopening in 2007. Many athletes have set world records at the Weltklasse Zürich, a track and field meeting that has been held at the stadium for nearly 100 years. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Oliver Giroud admits he 'didn't fit' LAFC, but is eager to 'challenge myself one more time' at Lille
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud admits his brief tenure at Los Angeles FC was disappointing, although he will cherish the friendships and the trophy he gathered during his year in Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old striker is eager to play once again in France after 13 years away, and he confirmed Sunday night that he will join Lille to take on one more challenge in his storied career. The top goal-scorer in the history of the French national team said farewell to LAFC by going scoreless and coming off with what he called tendon pain after 60 minutes in a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Giroud had a golden opportunity to score in front of goal early in the second half, but volleyed a pass from Denis Bouanga over the bar. Giroud was still given a standing ovation by the BMO Stadium fans who stayed firmly behind him while he scored just five goals in 38 matches for their club. 'I wish I could have had a bigger impact on the team, on the results,' Giroud said. 'At the end, it was a good experience. Obviously I can't stay longer, so I need a new chapter. I need to challenge myself one more time, and when I had the opportunity to come back (to) France, I just grabbed it. I wish nothing but the best for the club. I tried hard. I tried my best.' Giroud was under contract until the end of the current MLS season, but LAFC and Giroud mutually agreed to part ways so he could leave on a free transfer. He confirmed he will soon join Lille, which finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season to earn a Europa League place. 'I think the French people are happy that Paul Pogba, myself are coming back in the French league,' Giroud said of his Monaco-bound friend and teammate on France's World Cup-winning team in 2018. 'If you would have asked me a few years before, I would have answered you that was not the plan to come back, but you never know, and never say no,' Giroud added. 'I think this club ticked a lot of boxes for me and for my family. (I) hope that I can be helpful for the team, being a leader and a link-up player on the field, but (also) off the pitch between the youngsters and the staff. I'm excited because we also play Europa League. It's very positive. It's a big club in France, Lille. Top five.' Giroud hasn't played in Ligue 1 since 2012, when he left Montpellier for the start of his famed six-year tenure at Arsenal. He subsequently won the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea before winning Serie A with AC Milan. Giroud moved to LAFC in July 2024, but he now acknowledges he never fit into the system played by LAFC and its championship-winning coach, Steve Cherundolo — who is also leaving the club this fall. 'If you know football, you understand that in one sense, yeah, I didn't really fit to maybe the game style, I would say,' Giroud said. 'Just being honest. I try to adapt. I try my best one more time, but I can't do something I'm not used to (doing) and I don't know how to do.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Cherundolo favors a transition game emphasizing counterattacks and play up the sides, which doesn't mesh with Giroud's 38-year-old pace up the middle. In a scenario familiar across MLS, LAFC struggled to find a playmaker capable of providing service to an elite goal-scorer like Giroud, who excels on crosses in the box. Giroud was relegated to a substitute role in most matches despite wearing the No. 9 shirt, and he made a major impact in only a handful of outings — most memorably his goal in LAFC's victory in the U.S. Open Cup final last year. 'We did not use the cross a lot, which is my main strength in the box,' Giroud said. 'And yeah, I had the feeling that we would play a lot in transition, so it's not the best for me. … I know what I can bring to the team, but I know what I can't do also. I think it's time to say goodbye now, and one more time to wish all the best to the boys because I love them. I will miss LA, but on the other hand, I'm really excited to have another challenge.' ___ AP soccer:
