Maxime Crépeau worked hard. Then burned again. He now has his reward.
The scene is as memorable as it is dramatic. It was the MLS Cup final, in 2022. In the 110th minute, in overtime, with the score at 2-2, Philadelphia Union striker Cory Burke made a breakaway. Maxime Crépeau, in the net for LAFC, comes out of his area to counter him. The shock is brutal. The consequence was serious: Crépeau fractured his leg. He leaves the field directly towards the hospital. Not without encouraging his team as best he can, lying on his stretcher.
The result, on the other hand, is temporarily saving for LAFC. A clear opportunity to score is dissolved. The Union would still take the lead in the 123rd. Before the heroic Gareth Bale equalized at 3-3 for LAFC in the 128th minute. The local players would ultimately win on penalties, at the end of the most epic final in MLS history.
Why are we talking to you about these events today, 13 months later? Because LAFC is back in the finals. And because Maxime Crépeau is back in goal. And this time he might be able to attend the victory celebrations.
“It was a normal healing process for a very complicated injury,” said head coach Steve Cherundolo on Tuesday at a press conference. It took a lot of time, effort and expertise on all sides. […] But the most important thing was Max’s psychological commitment throughout the season. »
Crépeau returned to the game in mid-September, against the Galaxy. And this, after “many hours” and “mass work”.
LAFC’s qualification for the Western final was notably due to the brilliance of Crépeau. He shone with seven saves against the Seattle Sounders, including some spectacular saves. Then, to advance to the finals, he blocked five shots against the Houston Dynamo.
The technician believes that his goalkeeper is now “in great shape”, the same as last year. “He has the shape of a goalkeeper that a championship team can count on. »
To offer yourself as a sacrifice as he did in 2022, you must have the success of the team at heart in the first place, emphasizes Cherundolo.
“Max has no ego, and I mean that in a positive way. He has one like all athletes, but he doesn’t put it in front of the team. I witness it daily. »
Comments corroborated by his teammate Kellyn Acosta, an American midfielder.
“He’s self-sacrificing [he’s a selfless guy]. Obviously, it was difficult to see that. But he fought so hard to come back. »
Acosta agrees that “the less you see it, the better.” In the sense that if a goalkeeper is particularly busy during a match, it means that the team in front is not doing its job very well.
“But to know he’s back there, it’s huge for us. He is a vocal leader. We are fully aware of its presence. We are happy to have him at the top of his form, especially at this crucial moment. »
Last year, we told the story of LAFC Chief of Security Paul Apodaca. The club employee first made sure to take Crépeau to the ambulance. Then, he walked around the field during the celebrations, phone in hand with a Crépeau connected to FaceTime, to make sure he didn’t miss anything of the moment.
In 2023, his head coach wants to see him with him, in the flesh, if Los Angeles does it again.
“He was there virtually, probably in great pain,” he recalls. And probably not in the environment he would have liked. He was very much in our thoughts and part of our celebrations. But it would be nice if he was there this year. »