CanMNT 'rocked' by Maxime Crepeau injury, says head coach John Herdman
By Chris Smith
Canadian Men's National Team (CanMNT) head coach John Herdman has revealed how he has been 'rocked' by the news of LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau's injury.
The 28-year-old stopper suffered a fractured right leg during the Black and Gold's MLS Cup victory over the Philadelphia Union and has since undergone successful surgery to help repair the injury.
Of course, given the extent of the injury, Crepeau will now miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - the CanMNT's first since 1986 - with the news coming just days after the Reds lost Jahn Regensburg defender Scott Kennedy to injury as well.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies also gave Herdman a scare at the weekend and although his prognosis is far more positive, it was still a tough few days for the Canadians.
"I think everyone's just devastated at the whole nature of how that unfolded," Herdman said earlier this week.
"We've lost Scott Kennedy earlier in the week and then how it unfolded for Max, just so late in the game and a situation where he had to put his body on the line. It was such a sad moment.
"I think it rocked a lot of people. The injury looked pretty bad as well on TV. It's been a tough moment, I think, not only for the staff but for the player group here. With genuine concern at the level of that injury."
Red Star Belgrade goalkeeper Milan Borjan will continue on as Canada's No.1 while, in Crepeau's absence, the likes of Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), James Pantemis (CF Montreal), and Thomas Hasal (Vancouver Whitecaps) will battle for the back-up role.
The CanMNT are preparing for upcoming friendlies against Bahrain and Japan before facing Belgium in their Group F opener on November 23 - followed by fixtures against Croatia and Morocco.
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