Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Friday, June 5, 2026
Maxime Crépeau Named Canada’s Starting Goalkeeper for 2026 World Cup
Maxime Crépeau, the Orlando City SC goalkeeper, has been named Canada’s starting goalkeeper for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, head coach Jesse Marsch announced Thursday in Montréal, where Crépeau signed his first professional contract as a teenager. The decision ends a years-long competition with Inter Miami’s Dayne St. Clair, with whom Marsch had split starting duties throughout his tenure. Crépeau missed Canada’s only previous World Cup in 2022 after fracturing his leg in MLS Cup just weeks before the tournament. Marsch called it “the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my coaching career.” Canada opens against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com
Canada Faces Ireland Tonight in Final Pre-World Cup Send-Off in Montréal
Canada’s Men’s National Team plays its final pre-World Cup friendly tonight against the Republic of Ireland at Stade Saputo in Montréal (7:30 pm ET | TSN, RDS, OneSoccer, FS2). The match is CanMNT’s last preparation fixture before the tournament begins June 12, when Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. Canada is coming off a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan on June 2 in Edmonton, where captain Alphonso Davies watched from the sideline still recovering from a hamstring injury. Head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed Thursday that Maxime Crépeau will start in goal, ending the goalkeeper debate ahead of the World Cup.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com
USMNT Hosts 10th-Ranked Germany Tomorrow in Final World Cup Tune-Up in Chicago
The United States Men’s National Team hosts 10th-ranked Germany in its Coca-Cola Send-Off Match on Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago (3:30 pm ET | TNT, TruTV, Telemundo, Peacock). The game is the USMNT’s final tune-up before opening World Cup group play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. The send-off series opened with a 3-2 win over Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte, where Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun scored. The USA holds a 4W-8L all-time record against Germany; the last American victory came in 2015. Germany enters with a 7W-3L mark since the start of 2025.
Sources: U.S. Soccer, ESPN
Guillermo Hoyos to Remain as Inter Miami Head Coach Through World Cup Break
Inter Miami CF will retain Guillermo Hoyos as head coach following Major League Soccer’s World Cup break, sources told ESPN. Hoyos, who stepped into the role in April after Javier Mascherano resigned, posted a 6W-1L-1D record across eight matches before the league paused for the summer. Sources said the decision was communicated to Hoyos a couple of weeks ago, with the front office expressing full support. Inter Miami will still conduct a broader search for a permanent head coach following the tournament, but Hoyos leads the club when MLS action resumes on July 16. The Herons sit among the Eastern Conference leaders heading into the break.
Sources: ESPN
MLS Standings — Pre-World Cup Break
Eastern Conference (through May 24)
1. Nashville SC — approx. 27 pts
2. Inter Miami CF — approx. 25 pts
3. New England Revolution — approx. 22 pts
…
15. Philadelphia Union — 7 pts (1-10-4)
Full table: mlssoccer.com/standings
Western Conference (through May 24)
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 32 pts (10-2-2)
2. San Jose Earthquakes — approx. 29 pts
3. Seattle Sounders FC — approx. 24 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — approx. 22 pts
…
Full table: mlssoccer.com/standings
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