Toronto FC need a new starting goalkeeper. Dayne St. Clair needs a club. Could there be a fit at BMO for the Pickering shotstopper?
St. Clair will likely be starting between the sticks for Canada’s first World Cup match on June 12 against an opponent to be named later. At the moment, he’s looking for a new club after his contract expired at Minnesota United following his MLS Goalkeeper of the Year winning season. After declining Sean Johnson’s option in October, TFC find themselves in a position where signing St. Clair would be both logical and transformative.
According to TSN’s Matthew Scianitti, several MLS clubs are very interested in keeping St. Clair on this side of the pond and Toronto FC are reportedly an option for the 28-year-old. Minnesota remain in talks to re-sign him, but his availability has opened the door for interested clubs both in England across MLS.
TFC’s goalkeeping depth chart is unsettled heading into 2026. St. Clair represents a rare combination of national-team pedigree, MLS success, and prime-age longevity that Toronto FC haven’t been able to access in recent years.
St. Clair has established himself as one of the league’s most consistent shot-stoppers, combining explosive athleticism with improved command of his box and composure in distribution. His performances for Canada throughout 2025 elevated him into serious contention to start at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and his value on the domestic market reflects that rise.
For a Toronto FC side that conceded in waves throughout the past two seasons and struggled badly to stabilize defensively, a goalkeeper of St. Clair’s calibre is what TFC need right now with the departure of Johnson. The question, however, is whether Toronto can win the race.
Free agency in MLS is increasingly competitive, and St. Clair is widely expected to receive strong offers from clubs with clearer outlooks. Greg Vanney’s LA Galaxy, Orlando City, Jacob Shaffelburg’s Nashville SC and the Julian de Guzman’s New York Red Bulls have all been linked with the Canadian keeper. Toronto FC are still in the early stages of a rebuild under Robin Fraser and Jason Hernandez, and convincing a top-tier free agent to choose a project rather than a contender requires both financial muscle and a clear plan.
What Toronto can offer is a guaranteed starting role, a return home, and the chance to be the face of the club’s defensive revival. The front office has already signalled its intention to be aggressive this winter, and acquiring a Canadian international entering his prime would fit Hernandez’s publicly stated aim of adding foundational players rather than stopgaps. St. Clair would also immediately strengthen the club’s Canadian core at a time when domestic contribution is more meaningful than ever for roster construction and identity.
Whether St. Clair ultimately reaches free agency is the defining variable. Minnesota United still want him back, and if an extension is completed, Toronto’s pursuit ends before it starts. But if he does hit the market, TFC have every reason to make their pitch.
Would you want to see Toronto FC sign Dayne St. Clair or toss the gloves to Luka Gavran for 2026?
