In last week’s Race for the Roster, Steven Caldwell looked at Cyle Larin’s loan move to Southampton and what it means for his 2026 FIFA World Cup stock ahead of a pair of friendlies next month. We will return to Larin a little bit later on, but he’s relevant here, too, because much of the logic behind his journey to England is applicable to Stephen Eustáquio’s situation. Like Larin, Eustáquio was on the move before the transfer window slammed shut.
That the 29-year-old Leamington, Ont. native moved wasn’t much of a surprise, but the destination opened a few eyes. Eustáquio has joined Los Angeles FC on a short-term loan from Porto. The deal takes him through June 30 with an option to buy. Eustáquio joins a growing Canadian contingent with the team. Already at LAFC are midfielders Ryan Raposo (Hamilton, Ont.) and Mathieu Choinière (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.), winger Jacob Shaffelburg (Kentville, NS) and goalkeeper Thomas Hasal (Cambridge, Ont.).
Caldwell acknowledges that Eustáquio heading to MLS might come as a disappointment for some who had hoped to see him stay in Europe, but what’s paramount for such a key player for Canada is playing time and he should be getting as much as he needs at LAFC. In his fifth season at Porto, Eustáquio had become a bit player. He had appeared in only eight league matches, all coming as a substitute, for a total of 190 minutes.
Key to Eustáquio’s move is Marc Dos Santos. The former Vancouver Whitecaps head coach has taken the reins at LAFC following the resignation of Steve Cherundolo at the end of last season. A native of Montreal, Dos Santos is very aware of Eustáquio’s circumstances and will do whatever he can to ensure Eustáquio is set up in the best way possible for this summer’s World Cup. Eustáquio could be in line to make his MLS debut when LAFC opens up its season on Feb. 21 when they host MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami.
Now, back to Larin. With the 30-year-old Brampton, Ont. native’s loan at Feyenoord from Mallorca simply not working (Larin had made eight league appearances for a total of 158 minutes), a change was needed and he found it with Southampton. A team in need of goal-scoring prowess, Saints saw what Larin is capable of with his first touch in his Saturday debut against Watford. Larin headed home the game’s only goal from a corner in the 70th after having come on only three minutes previous. With Saints making a push for the playoff places in the Championship, Larin could be a key piece moving forward and that can only raise his stock for Canada.
Race for the Roster: Week 32 (4-4-2)
Forwards
STARTERS: Jonathan David (Juventus) and Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal)
BENCH: Promise David (Union SG), Daniel Jebbison (Preston North End, on loan from Bournemouth), Cyle Larin (Southampton, on loan from Mallorca) and Marcelo Flores (Tigres)
Midfield and Defenders
STARTING MIDFIELDERS: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo), Stephen Eustaquio (Los Angeles FC, on loan from Porto) and Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal)
BENCH: Jacob Shaffelburg (Los Angeles)INJ, Liam Millar (Hull City), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC) and Ali Ahmed (Norwich City)
STARTING DEFENDERS: Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Derek Cornelius (Rangers, on loan from Marseille), Moise Bombito (Nice) INJ and Alistair Johnston (Celtic) INJ
BENCH: Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough)INJ, Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire) and Luc de Fougerolles (Dender, on loan from Fulham)
Goalkeeper
STARTER: Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami)
BENCH: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City) and Owen Goodman (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Crystal Palace)
IN THE HUNT: James Pantemis (Portland Timbers) and Jonathan Sirois (FC Dallas)
