Canada coach picks Dayne St. Clair to start in goal in Gold Cup quarterfinal
Dayne St. Clair has solidified his position as the starting goalkeeper for the 30th-ranked Canada national team as they prepare to face off against No. 106 Guatemala in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday. St. Clair has been in fine form, starting in the 6-0 victory over No. 75 Honduras and the 1-1 draw with No. 90 Curacao, while Maxime Crepeau took the reins in the final group stage match, a 2-0 win over No. 81 El Salvador.
In a press conference on Saturday, coach Jesse Marsch explained his decision to go with St. Clair for the knockout stage, praising the goalkeeper’s performance in the tournament and in training. St. Clair’s standout play has earned him the opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage.
St. Clair’s selection as the starting goalkeeper comes on the heels of being named to the MLS all-star team earlier in the week. The 28-year-old has been a standout for Minnesota United in MLS, leading the league in shutouts and making a significant impact for the Canadian national team.
Canada will be facing a Guatemala side that will be without goalkeeper Nicho Hagen due to injury. Despite being the underdogs, Guatemala coach Luis Fernando Tena remains optimistic, acknowledging the challenges but expressing belief in his team’s ability to spring a surprise.
The match will take place at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota, a venue known for its high-capacity and state-of-the-art facilities. Canada holds a strong historical record against Guatemala, with a 10-2-2 all-time record and a five-match unbeaten streak against their opponents.
Unfortunately for Canada, influential midfielder Stephan Eustaquio will not be available for the match after his club, FC Porto, refused to release him following their early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup. This adds to the injury setbacks that have already affected Canada’s squad.
With a place in the semifinals at stake, both Canada and Guatemala will be looking to put their best foot forward in what promises to be an exciting and competitive encounter. The winner of this match will face either the U.S. or Costa Rica in the next round.
As the Canadian team prepares to take on Guatemala, they will be looking to key players like Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David to lead the way. With a blend of experience and youthful talent, Canada will be aiming to continue their impressive run in the Gold Cup and advance to the next stage of the competition.
