With free agency arriving at the end of this season, Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair is trying to let his game do the talking — especially with no contract extension discussions happening between the Loons and his camp.
“I know I need to do well to in order to get what I want,” St. Clair told the Pioneer Press on Tuesday. “I think I know my value and I hope the club can see that value and reach that value.”
The Loons’ sixth-year goalie is No. 1 in MLS in save percentage (79.8) and No. 2 goals against per 90 minutes (1.0), but is the 14th highest paid ‘keeper in the league.
“The market value in terms of our league has gone up substantially in the past few seasons,” said St. Clair, who was elected to the MLS Players’ Association executive board on Sept. 1. “I think Roman Burki, of course, is a big one.
The St. Louis City goalkeeper left German giant Borussia Dortmund and is now MLS’ highest paid goalie ($1.7 million), while four others goalies earn over $1 million in guaranteed compensation, per MLSPA. A similar seven- figure sum might be a benchmark for St. Clair with a new contract.
St. Clair signed a three-year deal with MNUFC in 2021, with an option year for 2025. He is currently being paid $631,875.
“You’re starting to see more guys in bigger contracts, and you’re seeing the value of goalies winning games, too,” St. Clair said. “… In this league, obviously, there’s a lot of money spent on attacking players, but you need somebody to stop those attacking players.”
The Loons drafted St. Clair with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft and should be able pay the two-time MLS All-Star more than other MLS clubs this winter.
MLS announced Thursday some key offseason roster-building dates, clubs exercising contract options and offers to players on Nov. 26 and free agency beginning Dec. 10.
While MNUFC has not been actively working on a new deal for St. Clair, left wingback Anthony Markanich did sign a new three-year deal in late August. Extensions can come during the MLS season, but it appears to be a choice for things to play of St. Clair.
“Keeping all opens open to have as much leverage as I can because, I think, the way our free agency rules work in this league, you very rarely get leverage,” St. Clair said. “Not just my situation, but I think any time a player has leverage in the sports world, you got to try to take advantage of it and maximize what you can get out of it.”
St. Clair, now 28, has one eye on the FIFA World Cup next summer, where he is penciled in as Canada’s No. 1. goalie for the tournament held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He earned that spot while with the Loons.
“I’ve had success here, past and current,” St. Clair said. “So it’s definitely somewhere where I feel like I can have that success continue.”
Highest paid MLS goalkeepers
1. Roman Burki, St. Louis, $1.7 million
2. Pedro Gallese, Orlando, $1.2 million
3. Andre Blake, Philadelphia, $1.1 million
4. Sean Johnson, Toronto, $1.06 million
5. Zach Steffen, Colorado, $1 million
6. Patrick Schulte, Columbus, $957,083
7. Yohei Takaoka, Vancouver, $873,713
8. Kristijan Kahlina, Charlotte, $788,750
9. Oscar Ustari, Miami, $744,000
10. Daniel de Sousa Britto, San Jose, $742,500
11. Hugo Lloris, Los Angeles FC, $700,000
12. Joe Willis, Nashville, $658,333
13. Maxime Crepe, Portland, $648,333
14. Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota, $631,875
Source: MLS Players Association’s shared guaranteed compensation data from May 2025.
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