Maxime Crépeau is at the top of his game. At 27, he has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in MLS. On January 20, he was traded to LAFC. In a few days, he will try to help Canada qualify for the World Cup.
Posted at 8:01 p.m.
The Quebecer met the media on Tuesday evening, and he is aware that his name has circulated a lot in the world of soccer in recent days, particularly because of the trade that sent him to California. It was Crépeau who had asked the Vancouver Whitecaps, his organization for the past three years, to send him to other places.
The Greenfield Park native is eager to join his new team, but especially to play in Bank of California Stadium, the home of LAFC, one of the most electrifying stadiums on the Garber circuit.
“It’s a great stadium, it’s always special to play there, especially with the fans. The atmosphere is always incredible and I can’t wait to experience it in the uniform of the locals, rather than that of the opposing team. I look forward to representing the city and giving my all for the fans on the pitch. They are so involved that the only thing you can do as a player is to give your all and play well in front of them. »
Obviously, even if the exchange was done at his request, it was not easy to leave Vancouver. He already has very good memories of it: “The organization gave me the opportunity to showcase myself and show what I was capable of doing in this league. I have always been well received, I got on well with everyone from day one. »
On the way to the World Cup
Canada leads CONCACAF in the standings for the final round of World Cup qualifying in Qatar in November. The country is in a good position to mark the history of Canadian soccer and to participate in the great mass of football. However, he still has three major short-term challenges: Honduras on Tuesday, the United States in a match against Hamilton on Sunday, and El Salvador on February 2.
Even if the task does not look easy, due to the changes in climate with which the players will have to negotiate, Crépeau is optimistic and prefers to take it one game at a time.
“We already had experience in Edmonton in November, we know what to expect, it’s a very professional group. It will be a difficult window, but we know this reality. We are all focused, ”he explained.
Canada will be without several elements for these crucial matches, including prodigy Alphonso Davies, who has contracted myocarditis after testing positive for COVID-19. Even if the star player of Bayern Munich will be a major absentee, Crépeau is not worried that the group of coaches will find a solution: “The important thing is that he feels good, that he resumes better . Except that on our side, we always have a guy who is ready to replace him, it will give an opportunity to someone else. We are confident, because we know that our selection has depth, ”he concluded.