Dayne St. Clair, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, heading to Inter Miami through 2028
Inter Miami, continuing to build off its first MLS Cup title, will have a new high-profile goalkeeper in 2026.
Dayne St. Clair, the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year with Minnesota United, is headed to Inter Miami, a club source confirmed. The contract is being finalized and will go through 2028. He was a free agent. Minnesota reportedly negotiated to retain him, but Miami won out in the end.
St. Clair, 28, plays for the Canadian national team and is in contention to be the starting keeper for the 2026 World Cup.
According to the source, Inter Miami decided not to pick up the purchase option on goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo from Argentine club Lanus. Rios Novo signed with Miami on loan in January 2025, spent most of the season as Oscar Ustari’s backup, was promoted to starter late in the season and excelled in the playoffs.
St. Clair had a phenomenal 2025 season. He posted 10 clean sheets, conceded 30 goals in 30 matches and was a key reason the Loons finished fourth in the Western Conference and reached the conference semifinals.
He led the University of Maryland to the NCAA championship, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and was selected by Minnesota in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
The Athletic reported the news first and Minnesota acknowledged St. Clair’s departure by posting a thank-you video on the team website and on social media.
St. Clair posted a goodbye note to Minnesota on his Instagram account that read:
“Dear Minnesota: Seven years ago, I was drafted here with my dream of becoming a professional finally a reality. The journey since then has had its trials and tribulations, but I’m proud of the person and player those experiences shaped me into.
“Thank you to my teammates, the coaches, the unsung heroes, the support staff and the fans who showed up and supported us every step of the way. I loved competing with all of you. Representing this community on and off the field has been a true joy, and although we never lifted a trophy together, I hope I made you proud. I will cherish the moments we created well beyond my career.”
On the international stage, St. Clair represented Canada at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, won a Concacaf championship (first place in 2021-22 Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers), won a Concacaf Silver Medal with Canada (2022-23 Nations League), was a Concacaf semifinalist (2021) and represented Canada at one CONMEBOL Copa América (fourth place at USA 2024).
The 2026 MLS preseason camp kicks off the second week of January and plans for Inter Miami preseason matches in South America are being finalized (Colombia and Ecuador are reportedly on the itinerary).
Inter Miami opens the 2026 MLS season on the road Feb. 21 at Los Angeles FC and will play the first five games away from home while construction of Miami Freedom Park Stadium is completed. The first home game in the new stadium is Apr. 4 against Austin FC.
In mid-March, Messi and his teammates will compete in the Concacaf Champions Cup. They got a bye to the Round of 16 and will play at Nashville SC or Atletico Ottawa March. 11 in the first leg and return to Chase Stadium for the second leg Mar. 18.
Inter Miami Draft Picks
The 2026 MLS SuperDraft was held on Thursday. Unlike other American sports, which rely heavily on college talent to fill rosters, most professional soccer players come up through club academies, sign pro contracts as teenagers and do not attend college.
But, there are exceptions, such as Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, who was drafted out of the University of New Hampshire, went on to become a key player on Miami’s MLS championship team and recently signed a long-term contract.
Inter Miami selected defender Abdel Talabi of Bryant University with the 30th pick of the first round on Thursday. Bryant finished No. 10 in the nation this year after its best season in school history. The other Miami picks were: midfielder Kenan Hot (Duke, No. 32 pick), forward Mamadi Jiana (Bryant, No. 54), defender Alex Barger (Indiana, No. 60), and forward Maximilian Kissel (Vermont, No. 90).
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 11:29 AM.