When it comes to Canadian soccer, there are two names that stand out the most, Alphonso Davies and Christine Sinclair. At the age of 17, Davies, who obtained Canadian citizenship when he was five years old, became the youngest member of the Canadian National team and has not looked back. As for Sinclair, she is only the all-time leader in international goals scored and has won more team and individual awards than we have space to list.
However, for as great as these two forwards, and many of their peers are, the last line of defense, the goalkeeper, should not be forgotten. Over the recent years, a number of goaltenders have started to etch their own names into the reasons for their team’s success.
Milan Borjan
When it comes to Canadian goalkeepers, the name on top of everybody’s list is Milan Borjan. Born in Serbia, Borjan immigrated to Canada when he was young, first taking up residence in Winnipeg, Manitoba before settling in Hamilton, Ontario. Professionally, Borjan has made his way around Europe, starting his career with a tryout for the Boca Juniors (Argentina). From 2009-2011, Borjan served as the starting goaltender for FK Rad (Serbia). After numerous stops, Borjan settled in with Red Star Belgrade, a club he has helped win multiple league titles with since 2017.
Callum Irving
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Callum Irving has earned his way through the Vancouver Whitecaps (Vancouver FC) system. After playing with the Whitecaps Academy from 2007-2012, Irving headed south on a scholarship to play for the University of Kentucky. Following an award-winning career with the Wildcats, Irving joined the 2016 MLS SuperDraft only to go undrafted. Following a short run in the United Soccer League with the Rio Grande Valley Toros and the Ottawa Fury, Irving would return home in 2022 becoming the first-ever signee of Vancouver FC.
Dayne St. Clair
Years before helping backstop the Maryland Terrapins to the 2018 NCAA Division I National Championship, Dayne St. Clair could be found on various soccer pitches throughout his home province of Ontario. As a member of Vaughn Azzuri, St. Clair captured a League1 Ontario championship before moving down to the United States for college. Selected seventh in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota United FC, St. Clair made thirteen appearances during his first season with the club and has recorded 92 to date. In 2020, St. Clair received his first call-up to play for the Canadian National Team, in which he plays second string to Milan Borjan.
Kailen Sheridan
A native of Pickering, Ontario, Kailen Sheridan has quickly established herself as a star for both her club and national team. While earning All-ACC honors playing for the Clemson Tigers, Sheridan was also representing Canada on the U17 and U20 National Team. After her four years at Clemson, Sheridan would be selected by Sky Blue FC (now NJ/NY Gotham FC) as the 23rd pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft. In 2021 Sheridan found an opportunity to step into the starting goaltender position with the Canadian National Team following the retirement of Stephanie Labbe. Sheridan’s Golden Glove-winning performance at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship has helped secure her spot with the program for many years moving forward.
Sabrina D’Angelo
Apparently, there is something in the water in Ontario when it comes to female soccer goalies. Following an award-winning collegiate career with the South Carolina Gamecocks, the goalkeeper from Welland, Ontario would hear her name called during the third round of the NWSL College Draft. As the backup goalkeeper for the Western New York Flash (now North Carolina Courage), Sabrina D’Angelo went from playing just seven games as a rookie to earning the NWSL Finals MVP and an NWSL Championship in her second season. Currently playing in the English Women’s Super League with Arsenal (England), D’Angelo has also been a fixture with the Canadian National Team since 2007 when she was just 14 years old.
Lysianne Proulx
Born and raised in Longueuil, Quebec, Lysianne Proulx is on pace to become Canada’s next top goalkeeper. After progressing through the youth ranks and Quebec’s provincial team program, Proulx headed south to play for the Syracuse Orange. Unlike her peers on this list, Proulx’s path to the NWSL would take a couple of years following graduation as she would join Bay FC as a transfer from Melbourne City in 2024. After playing for Canada’s U15, U17, and U20 teams, Proulx would receive an invite to join the senior team in 2022.
The rise of Canadian soccer goalkeepers has continued to improve over recent years, something that has not gone unnoticed by fans and sportsbooks. With the increasing popularity of soccer throughout the country, sports betting platforms are expanding to include a wide range of soccer markets, including those featuring Canadian teams and players. As Canadian talent continues to improve on an international stage, sports betting sites in Canada are seeing increased interest and activity from soccer fans looking to support homegrown talent.