How the Canadian World Cup Players Did in the MLS This Season

Article By Grant McQuillan

Last Updated: 2022 Nov 7

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How the Canadian World Cup Players Did in the MLS This Season

The MLS season wrapped up about three weeks before the World Cup begins.

Here, we look at how Canadian stars in MLS have performed in 2022.

Ismaël Koné (Montreal)

Ismaël Koné played in 26 regular season games for Montreal and started both playoff games, the second a loss to New York City in the semifinals. Koné scored in the playoff win over Orlando City. In total, he scored four goals and played 32 times for Montreal in 2022 and was one of the league's standout defensive players.

Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto)

With 34 games under his belt for Canada, Mark-Anthony Kaye aims to secure a starting spot in Canada's lineup this World Cup. He has had a topsy-turvy season with Toronto, which finished 13th in the Eastern Conference.

Kaye did get three goals and two assists in 25 MLS games, a solid contribution.

Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Sixteen goals in 34 games for Canada makes Lucas Cavallini one of his country's most important players. The Vancouver Whitecaps star, however, struggled at times, partly a result of the Whitecaps' poor season. Cavallini still managed nine MLS goals and one assist in 24 games.

Richie Laryea (Toronto)

Richie Laryea has become an important part of the defense for Canada in the past year, playing 10 times for his country in 2022 alone. He is on loan at Toronto from Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, and after the World Cup, Laryea will head back to England's top division.

He has only played 10 games as a result, but with four assists, he was arguably the most impressive defensive player in the MLS for Canada.

Jonathan Osorio (Toronto)

Nobody has made more appearances for Toronto than Jonathan Osorio, who had nine goals and four assists this MLS season.

Osorio is out following a concussion, but he is confident in making Canada's World Cup squad, and Canadian fans are hoping he will be fit to do so.

Alistair Johnston (Montreal)

Alistair Johnston heads into the World Cup after tallying four assists and four goals in a fantastic season with Montreal. Johnston barely missed a second of action with Montreal, helping it reach the playoff semifinals.

Despite having such an impressive year and staying injury-free for most of it, he likely misses out on a starting role with Canada to Laryea.

Maxime Crépeau (Los Angeles FC)

Maxime Crépeau has been one of the best goalkeepers in the MLS this season, missing just one game and posting nine shutouts. He managed another shutout recently against Austin in the playoff semifinals, and after allowing 36 goals in 33 MLS games, he goes to the World Cup in better form than most MLS goalkeepers.

Sadly for him, Milan Borjan will still be the No. 1 goalkeeper this winter for Canada.

Samuel Piette (Montreal)

Now 27 and with 61 games already for Canada, Samuel Piette has had another memorable season with Montreal by helping it to the MLS semifinals. He even wore the captain’s armband this season, and with three assists and excellent performances in his defensive midfield role, Piette goes to the World Cup in fantastic form.

He will be vital for Canada in Qatar.

Kamal Miller (Montreal)

Kamal Miller has been arguably the best defensive player in the MLS this season, scoring twice and even registering three assists from center-back. He has done this while also wearing the captain’s armband at times in the absence of Piette, at just 25 years old.

Miller had a memorable 2022 season and is perhaps the most in-form player on this list.