Maxime Crépeau made his official debut for Los Angeles FC on Saturday and has already won new fans by posting the shutout in a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.
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The most expensive Quebec player in history, the goaltender was acquired by the LAFC during the offseason for a general allocation amount of $1 million and a first-round pick in the SuperDraft.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps and CF Montreal logically obtained the confidence of new head coach Steve Cherundolo for this opening of the 2022 season. Crépeau did not have to stand out much, the Rapids only framed a shot on his cage.
The 27-year-old appears to be adjusting well to California and defended his teammates in a 58th-minute altercation which earned him a yellow card.
Not distracted by the end of his contract announced for the month of June, Carlos Vela took care of the attack. The offensive star scored the three LAFC goals, in the 29th (on penalty), the 35th and the 50th minute.
Crépeau misses in Vancouver
The one who got the vote of confidence in Vancouver since the departure of Crépeau, the young Thomas Hasal, for his part had a very difficult start to the season by being on the wrong side of a 4-0 loss against the Crew, at columbus.
Miguel Berry and Derrick Etienne Jr. beat the 22-year-old doorman in the first half. Defender Jack Nerwinski did not help the Whitecaps cause when he was kicked out of the game in the 53rd minute for accumulating cards. Luis Diaz and Lucas Zelarayan took the opportunity to add to the Crew’s already large lead.
The Whitecaps did not target any shots on the goal defended by Eloy Room.
A draw to start the campaign
Earlier in the day, the Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United FC had the honor of playing the first match of the campaign and it was with a 1-1 tie that the two teams got away with the Subaru Park.
Robin Lod is the one who opened the scoring for this new season by scoring in the 23rd minute of play. Franco Fragapane fed the Finn well so that he scored this first goal. After a nice aerial control, the small forward decamped to the left of the Union net before finding Lod at the edge of the net.
The Philadelphia club allowed its supporters to celebrate before halftime. With a header, Cory Burke catapulted a long cross from Jakob Glesnes into the back of the net.
The rest of the game was handled by goaltenders Andre Blake and Tyler Miller, who made four and five saves respectively.
