REPORT: Could Toronto FC target CanMNT goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau?
An offseason of change has begun at Toronto FC, as they announced their first wave of roster decisions on Friday.
Naturally, after missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season, big changes are on the horizon for TFC, and a big one may be in goal, as they declined the contract option for goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who has spent three years with the club.
Despite coming off a big season for TFC, one that saw him save a league-high 10.9 goals above expected (per FBRef), also making 110 saves with a save percentage of 75.7%, TFC looks set to move on from the 36-year-old.
Of course, negotiations between both parties could continue - Johnson's guaranteed compensation was $1,063,125 in 2025, which is steep for a goalkeeper in MLS - but it looks like this move could set off a series of other dominoes across the league.
First, with Johnson, he could be primed to a return to the US, as OneSoccer's Gareth Wheeler reported on Friday that Atlanta United is an option for the veteran goalkeeper. With the retirement of Brad Guzan, that's a move that could make sense for both parties, too - although it's worth noting that young Canadian goalkeeper, Jayden Hibbert, has stepped up in a big way for Atlanta this year, and could be affected by Johnson's arrival.
Johnson had a great year, after struggling in the seasons before at Toronto. Keeping Johnson at TFC on an inflated salary never made any sense. And I’ve been hearing for some time that Johnson will end up in Atlanta. https://t.co/5FTbSpQoeT
— Gareth Wheeler (@GarethWheeler) October 24, 2025
Should Johnson leave, though, that would then create a hole in Toronto's goal, and while there'd likely be some confidence that Luka Gavran could step up and fill that gap, having already made 16 first-team appearances for TFC, there are some other names to watch.
In particular, the big one, according to the Athletic's Joshua Kloke, is CanMNT goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, after it was reported by TSN's Matthew Scianatti this week that Crépeau's contract option wouldn't be picked up by the Portland Timbers.
Toronto FC has declined their option on goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) October 24, 2025
Keep an eye on Maxime Crepeau as a possible target. Believe TFC have been interested and there could now be a starting job available ahead of the World Cup if Johnson doesn’t return on a different contract. #CANMNT
Having struggled to keep his starting spot at the Timbers over the past year, which has been mostly taken over by fellow Canadian James Pantemis, Crépeau will be looking for a regular starting role ahead of the World Cup, where he very much remains in contention to earn a starting spot for the CanMNT, and Toronto FC could offer him the chance to earn the minutes that help him do that.
Naturally, there could be some complications with such a move - namely, the fact that Crépeau came through CF Montréal's academy - meaning that him signing for their rivals would certainly ruffle a few feathers among Montréal fans.
After missing out on the 2022 World Cup due to an injury, though, Crépeau will be weighing all options to give him the best shot at starting in 2026, and TFC would certainly be one worth considering - and it wouldn't hurt for him to play at the stadium where Canada will open their World Cup journey next fall, either.
Because of that, keep an eye on this situation, which is just one of many worth monitoring with Canadian goalkeepers - the goalkeeper Crépeau is battling with to earn minutes, Dayne St. Clair, is also a free agent this winter and could explore a new move away from Minnesota United, with the Athletic's Tom Bogert reporting this week that a European move could be on the cards for him (and given he's from nearby Pickering, you can't help but wonder if he fields offers from TFC, too).
Sources: Chucky Lozano's status for San Diego's playoff run is uncertain
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 22, 2025
Situation stems from verbal altercation that happened around Lozano getting subbed out at HT in game v HOU
One source says Lozano needs to prove to locker room how committed he is https://t.co/aMveW2Q86z
Otherwise, the last big story to watch is with the Vancouver Whitecaps, as their goalkeeper, Yohei Takaoka (who this week was nominated alongside St. Clair as one of the finalists for MLS's goalkeeper of the year award) is also out of contract - given how good the Whitecaps were this year, they'd be an attractive destination for a goalkeeper, should Takaoka not return.
Plus, much like with Toronto, the Whitecaps have the advantage of being able to play games at a stadium where Canada will play next year (Canada will play at least two games at Vancouver's BC Place after opening the World Cup in Toronto), so don't rule that out being attractive to Canadian hopefuls, either.
No matter what, one thing's for sure - there could be some big movement in goal for two of the three Canadian MLS teams, and for two of the main CanMNT goalkeeping options, which is worth watching, especially if any of the Canadian goalkeepers end up at either TFC or the Whitecaps.
