Dayne St. Clair<\/a> is getting used to the spotlight.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Playing in front of packed crowds each week, Inter Miami CF<\/a>\u2019s new goalkeeper feels closer than ever to the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> as he pushes for Canada<\/a>‘s starting spot.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery game I play now is the most-watched game in MLS, whether it\u2019s in the stands or whether it\u2019s on TV,\u201d St. Clair told reporters as Canada prepare for March friendlies against Iceland and World Cup-bound Tunisia at\u00a0Toronto FC<\/a>\u2019s BMO Field.<\/p>\n \u201cThat amount of eyes and pressure is something that I knew going into [Inter Miami] would help me prepare for something that\u2019s like the World Cup, where everyone\u2019s watching.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The @CANMNT_Official<\/a> squad is set for March friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia. \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 pic.twitter.com\/mTqHo12LFL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Just six matches into his tenure with the reigning MLS Cup presented by Audi champions, the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year<\/a> and former Minnesota United FC<\/a> standout is jostling with Orlando City<\/a>\u2019s Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a> for his nation\u2019s starting role.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That positional battle unfolds as the World Cup comes into view. After Saturday\u2019s match against Iceland (1 pm ET | TSN, RDS, OneSoccer), just three more games remain before Canada’s World Cup opener against Italy or Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re calm, focused, and ready,\u201d head coach Jesse Marsch said. \u201cWe\u2019re taking every day for what it\u2019s worth, and the focus and concentration to try to make sure that we\u2019re ready for two really good performances.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is the overall objective: to stay in the moment and really continue the process of the team becoming the team we want to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The #CanMNT<\/a> are getting set to play at BMO Field twice this month – after that, they’ll only return to Toronto for the start of the World Cup \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n After a spirited session today, Jesse Marsch talked about the mood in this Canadian team – and the good play of Cyle Larin\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/fzDluWND4h<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n St. Clair is one of 18 players in Canada\u2019s March squad to have moved clubs within the last year. And already, it’s evident that the refreshed surroundings are offering a fresh perspective to Canada’s penultimate pre-World Cup camp.\u00a0<\/p>\n The recent window also saw former Orlando City striker Cyle Larin and Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> alum Ali Ahmed both arrive in the English Championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since joining Southampton, Larin has scored 4g\/1a in 11 games. As for Ahmed, he has 4g\/3a in 15 games with Norwich City.<\/p>\n Both Ahmed and Larin are expected to start against Iceland, while Marsch has yet to tip his hand on St. Clair or Cr\u00e9peau between the sticks.\u00a0Previously, the plan was to give both goalkeepers a single match.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not surprised,\u201d St. Clair added about the continued goalkeeper discussion.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, I\u2019d love him to pick me today or yesterday or tomorrow. But at the same time, I know my job doesn\u2019t change, because even if he picks me [against Iceland], that doesn\u2019t guarantee me for June 12 or the rest of the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Marsch\u2019s initial blueprints for March were focused on getting the roster set for the World Cup. Yet, injuries to key stars have hampered expectations.\u00a0<\/p>\n The team does not have captain Alphonso Davies or LAFC<\/a> midfielder Stephen Eust\u00e1quio<\/a>. Meanwhile, defenders Mo\u00efse Bombito and Alistair Johnston are only in camp as training players.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, picking up victories in front of the home crowd is paramount.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking for two wins, and we want to build our chemistry further and to approach these games in the way that we will approach the World Cup,\u201d said LAFC midfielder\u00a0Mathieu Choini\u00e9re<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to have high intensity, and we want to stick to our identity, counterpressing, and what we\u2019ve done has been great in the time that we\u2019ve been together.”<\/p>\n As part of that intensity, Canada will hope to find success breaking into the final third and carrying more of the play. The general expectation is that Iceland will present a compact, defensive block and dare Canada to break them down, a tactic Marsch\u2019s men have struggled with in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve worked a lot on final third and final third entry moments so that we can be a little bit sharper, but I know we have quality,\u201d added Marsch. \u201cWe have some weapons, and we’ll be ready to perform and have two really good performances and push to get two really good wins.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n \n
Final steps<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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New surroundings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Injuries influence<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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