LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was pulled off the field with an apparently serious foot injury in the last 10 minutes of extra time in Saturday’s MLS Cup final against the Philadelphia Union. Here’s what you should know:
- crepeau crashed out of his line With Union’s Corey Burke trying to block the way to goal.
- The keeper was assessed a red card while tending to his trainer.
- Crepeau was expected to make Canada’s World Cup roster as backup to Milan Boljan.
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Crepeau is one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, allowing 36 goals in 33 appearances. It was hoped that a successful MLS season would help him build the confidence that he would be ready to play without hesitation if called up in Qatar.
Minnesota United’s Dane St. Clair is Canada’s third-string keeper.
Saturday’s game was suspended for nearly eight minutes as both Burke and Crepeau received medical attention. LAFC won the final on penalty kicks after goalkeeper John McCarthy blocked two Philadelphia attempts in place of Crepeaux. McCarthy was named MVP of the game.
Injury troubles rise in Canada
Crepeaux’s injury came on the same day Canadian left-back Alfonso Davies injured his hamstring while playing for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He started, but was sent off in the 64th minute of Bayern’s 3-2 victory and was seen walking off the pitch with his right hamstring.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann later confirmed that Davis had a hamstring strain and will be given a prognosis after seeing the club’s doctors on Sunday.
Canada will begin its World Cup campaign against Belgium on November 23rd.
(Photo: Kirby Lee/USA Today)