Moar goalkeypurz plz. We’re talking the top seven clubs in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. I did not expect that would include last season’s expansion club Austin FC, but the newest addition in the West has surprised many with their early run and now sit second behind LAFC. This collection of GK talent is one of the best in the four MLS GK posts within this series but also includes a couple legitimate position battles or at least questions over which player can/should be starter for the full season.
Keep in mind that Major League Soccer's first transfer window closed on Wednesday, May 4. A secondary window will open on Thursday, July 7 and run a month through Thursday, August 4
Top of the table in the west is LAFC, where new arrival Maxime Crépeau has easily solidified himself as the No. 1. The 27 year old Canada international is in the running for best goalkeeper in the conference - likely up against fellow Canadian Dayne St. Clair. Crépeau just moved to LA from Vancouver this winter, he was traded to LAFC for $1 million General Allocation Money (spread across 2022-2025) and 2025 1st round pick; the deal did not come with a contract extension but there should certainly be one forthcoming.
He’s allowed 0.89 goals/90’ and has three clean sheets from nine MLS starts. 7DA 0.600 Ξ is about right given the age and status of both the player and the club.
Backing him up is 29 year old John McCarthy, himself a new arrival after being drummed out of Inter Miami. Going from an ill-fated position battle for the worst franchise in the league, to the comfortable deputy on one of the cornerstone franchises is a nice upgrade but for SO5 purposes you were better of getting 10-15 mediocre starts out of him than zero expected playing time. In his career he has 41 MLS starts, but just seven clean sheets. I’m not forking out over $100 (0.0428 Ξ) for a low-grade back-up.
Crépeau’s presence also destroys the immediate value of 21 year old Tomás Romero, who made 18 starts for the club last season, conceding 28 goals against 36 saves and managing a paltry four clean sheets.