7 Best Canadian Soccer Goalkeepers Of All-Time
Over the years, Canadian Soccer has produced a respectable number of talented Goalkeepers.
Whilst the nation is far from prolific in terms of World-class shot-stoppers, Canada continues to develop reliable and technically gifted goalkeepers, many of them going on to claim notable domestic trophies and continental honours.
So who are the best Canadian Soccer Goalkeepers of all-time?
7. Maxime Crepeau
Maxime Crépeau played over 200 times for the likes of FC Montreal, Vancouver Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC. Whilst in L.A he won the 2022 MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield along with being named USL Goalkeeper of the Year Award for 2018 and Whitecaps FC Player of the Year in 2021.
As one of the best Canadian soccer goalkeepers of all-time, Crépeau made his international debut against the United States in February 2016 and has won 20 caps in total. He was a regular call-up during the final round of qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and in June 2024 was named in Canada’s squad for the 2024 Copa América. With your newfound knowledge of Canadian soccer, why not check out the latest Canadian soccer betting odds.
6. Kailen Sheridan
Kailen Sheridan featured most notably for NJ/NY Gotham FC, San Diego Wave and has appeared nearly 150 times overall. Whilst with San Diego she won both the 2023 NWSL Shield followed by the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024.
Amongst the best Canadian soccer goalkeepers of all-time, Sheridan has made 50 international appearances to date. She was named in the NWSL Best XI twice, NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year for 2022 and was part of the Canada Women’s team that won the 2022 Summer Olympics Soccer gold medal.
5. Lars Hirschfeld
Amongst the best Canadian soccer goalkeepers of all-time, Lars Hirschfeld made his international debut in 2000 and registered a total of 48 appearances. His big international break came at the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he was named best goalkeeper of the tournament after conceding only four goals in five matches. Hirschfeld was also deemed CONCACAF Gold Cup Most Valuable Goalkeeper of 2002.
He has played over 300 times for a host of Norwegian sides including Rosenborg, Vålerenga and KFUM. Hirschfeld claimed the Norwegian Premier League in 2006 and whilst in Romania with CFR Cluj won both Liga I alongside a Romanian Cup.
4. Paul Dolan
Paul Dolan is one of the best Canadian soccer goalkeepers of all-time. He played most notably for the Hamilton Steelers and Vancouver 86ers. Dolan made over 200 club career appearances, twice winning the Canadian Soccer League with Vancouver in 1990 and 1991.
He made his international debut in 1984, playing for his country across a thirteen-year period and earning 53 caps. Dolan represented Canada in 15 FIFA World Cup qualification matches across four World Cup qualifying campaigns. He also kept a clean sheet against the famous French team of the 1980’s until the 79th minute when Jean Pierre Papin gave France a narrow 1–0 victory.
3. Craig Forrest
One of the best Canadian soccer goalkeepers of all-time is Craig Forrest, who over the course of 56 caps helped his country win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000. In 2012, Forrest was voted by the fans into the Canadian Best XI and earned the most clean sheets in his country’s history before retiring from international football in 2002. He was also named Canadian Soccer Player of the Year twice in both 1994 and 2000.
Forrest made over 300 appearances for English Premier League teams Ipswich Town, Chelsea and West Ham United. He won the English Soccer League Second Division title whilst at Ipswich Town and the 1992 UEFA Intertoto Cup with the Hammers.
2. Pat Onstad
Pat Onstad is one of the best Canadian soccer goalkeepers of all-time. The stopper played for teams such as Toronto Blizzard, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo, making a total of 432 club appearances. He won three MLS Cups, the MLS Supporters Shield and three Western Conference Championships.
Onstad made his international debut in 1988, going on to claim 60 caps for his country and was part of Canada’s 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup winning side. He was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year twice, Canadian Player of the Year for 2003 and inducted in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2015.
1. Milan Borjan
Milan Borjan has played 481 times for the likes of Sivasspor, Ludogorets Razgrad and nearly 300 games for Red Star Belgrade alone. He won the Bulgarian First League, six Serbian SuperLiga and three Serbian Cups. Borjan was also named in the Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Season twice.
He is perhaps the best Canadian soccer goalkeeper of all-time. Borjan earned 80 caps for his country which is the most of any goalkeeper in Canada’s history. He failed to win any major international honours although finished as a CONCACAF Nations League runner up in 2023. Borjan remains sixth on Canada’s all-time appearance list.
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