Dayne St. Clair: Can World Cup backup keep his starting job at Inter Miami?

In an earlier interview with The Athletic, Crépeau -- who worked his way back into form after suffering a broken leg that kept him out of World Cup 2022 in Qatar -- talked about being a leader.

“There’s a part that I believe you have or you don’t, and there’s a part that throughout experiences, it arises as well,” he said. “Even when I was young, I was always the one guy that was trying to push people forward, push people towards winning games.”

Neither Marsch nor Crépeau said St. Clair lacked determination or leadership, but their words can't help but invite comparison.

To be fair, neither goalie is having a particularly distinguished season. Crépeau is allowing an MLS-high 3.27 goals against per 90 minutes (38 goals allowed in 1,186 minutes) for Inter Miami's in-state rival, Orlando City. He has a save percentage of 62.4 (63 saves in 101 shots on target). It doesn't help that the Lions field one of the league's all-time worst defenses. Orlando has allowed an MLS-high 44 goals through 15 matches and is on pace to concede 99 scores -- which would shatter the previous high of 74 set by San Jose in 2024.

St. Clair has a 58.8 save percentage (40 saves in 68 shots) but is allowing a respectable goals against per 90 of just 2. The 28 goals allowed by the Herons is tied for 10th highest but is offset by Las Garzas' league-best 39 goals scored.

Despite St. Clair's better numbers, he fails to inspire confidence among La Familia, the team's supporters. Miami's high-pressing, high-risk offense often leaves St. Clair facing unmarked attackers, and his decision-making has, at times, been suspect. Hesitation has caused several embarrassing bloopers and a yellow card for dragging down an opponent in the box.

Some fans -- not all, but a vocal minority -- are pining for backup keeper Rocco Ríos Novo, 24, who started during Miami's MLS Cup run last year after replacing Oscar Ustari in goal. The only thing keeping Ríos Novo on the bench is his height -- he's 5-foot-10, five inches shorter than St. Clair (6-3).

St. Clair accepted less money from Inter Miami after seven seasons in Minnesota to test himself; he's being tested now.

The Canadian likely will continue to start for Guillermo Hoyos, unless the interim manager decides St. Clair's failure to win Canada's starting job helps justify a spell on the bench. I hope that doesn't happen; St. Clair deserves the opportunity to grow into the starter's role. His shot-blocking skills are elite, and he's learning on the job how to use his feet, distribute the ball and better position himself when attacked one-on-one.

Sometimes it's not pretty but Inter Miami's offense gives St. Clair room to grow. The Herons (9-2-4, 31 points) are second in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the Supporter's Shield, four points behind Nashville SC. I'd like to see Hoyos keep St. Clair as the starter for league matches; give Ríos Novo the Leagues Cup. Make a decision after that MLS-Liga MX competition about which keeper should start in the crucial final weeks of the season.

St. Clair has been adequate in goal for Miami, but adequate isn't enough for a team with the Herons' ambitions. The former Loon's real test starts July 22 when Las Garzas resume the MLS season at home against the Chicago Fire; the first Leagues Cup group stage match is Aug. 5 against Atlético de San Luis.

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