EN 
DE 
Cyle Larin’s career took an unexpected turn this week. Once a guaranteed starter up front for Canada alongside Jonathan David, Larin lost his spot under head coach Jesse Marsch, who questioned the 31-year-old’s motivation. After tough spells at Mallorca and Feyenoord, Larin joined Southampton in February, a mid-table club in England’s Championship, with little fanfare.
But something clicked. He scored nine goals in 22 appearances and remained unbeaten for Southampton, except for a narrow loss to eventual champions Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal. Southampton climbed to fourth in the league, entering the playoffs for the Premier League’s final spot. They beat Middlesbrough on aggregate and looked set to face Hull in Saturday’s final.
However, on Tuesday, Southampton’s promotion hopes were crushed when they were punished for spying on opposing teams’ training sessions, including Middlesbrough before their playoff tie. The Saints were stripped of their place in the final, replaced by Middlesbrough, and will start next season in the Championship with a four-point deduction.
Southampton appealed the decision, but late Wednesday the English Football League’s arbitration panel upheld the sanction. This means another team, not Southampton, will be promoted.
This development hit Larin hard. His loan deal included a guaranteed permanent transfer if Southampton earned promotion, offering a rare sense of security just weeks before the World Cup. Instead, his manager Tonda Eckert faces suspension or dismissal, and players are even considering legal action against the club. Larin’s professional future has suddenly become uncertain.
On a brighter note, Canada will likely still have Premier League representation next season. Liam Millar is a regular starter for Hull, and although defender Alfie Jones is recovering from ankle surgery, he is expected to feature for Middlesbrough.
Larin’s recent resurgence has probably won him back a starting spot with Canada, pushing players such as Tani Oluwaseyi, Junior Hoilett, Marcelo Flores, Daniel Jebbison, and Promise David—if he overcomes his hip injury—toward supporting roles.
“I think we can go as far as we want to, and our mentality now compared to the last World Cup is a lot different,” Larin said to FIFA this week. “We’re not just there to be there—we’re there to win something.”
Meanwhile, Alistair Johnston celebrated winning the Scottish Premiership with Celtic for the fifth consecutive year after a final-day victory over Hearts. Johnston played the entire match and looked fully recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five months. His return is encouraging for Canada, especially with lingering doubts and injuries affecting the national team’s defense.
Goalkeeper decisions remain a hot topic. Coach Jesse Marsch has indicated his starting spot will go to either Maxime Crépeau or Dayne St. Clair, but veteran James Pantemis is making a case to be considered as a third option. Pantemis has shown flashes of brilliance with the Portland Timbers this season. Marsch also seems committed to including 22-year-old Owen Goodman as the third goalkeeper, looking ahead to future tournaments. Yet if Crépeau or St. Clair are unavailable, Pantemis, at 29, could be the better immediate choice.
Canada Soccer announced its pre-World Cup training camp schedule in Charlotte. The full team will gather May 26 for their first session, followed by three additional practice days before Marsch reveals his roster on May 29. The squad will then travel to Edmonton on May 30 for a friendly against Uzbekistan on June 1.
Canada will open its third-ever men’s World Cup campaign, and the first on home soil, against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.