McCarthy excited to be back in Union goal
It has been nearly a year since John McCarthy made a Major League Soccer start in goal for the Union, but the wait is over.
It has been nearly a year since John McCarthy made a Major League Soccer start in goal for the Union, but the wait is over.
McCarthy, a former standout at North Catholic and La Salle University, will be in goal replacing Andre Blake during the Union's match Saturday against the host Chicago Fire.
The most recent MLS game McCarthy appeared in was Sept. 20 of last year, a 2-0 Union victory over the visiting Houston Dynamo.
After that, Blake played the final four games of last season. This is only the second game that Blake will miss this season, both while competing for the Jamaican national team. He is with Jamaica for World Cup qualifiers.
Blake was sensational toward the end of last year after going through two knee surgeries and this year he was named an MLS all-star.
McCarthy, who was named the United Soccer League Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Year in 2014, appeared in 11 MLS games last year, going 3-5-3 with a 1.64 goals against average. He also started four games in the U.S. Open Cup, where the Union advanced to the final before losing to Sporting Kansas City in penalty kicks.
This year he has appeared in one Open Cup game and a half of a friendly against Crystal Palace of the English Premier League. He has also appeared in 11 games for the Union's United Soccer League affiliate, the Bethlehem Steel.
"I am really happy to be starting," McCarthy said in an email response. "Being able to get in a game is always a great opportunity and I am really looking forward to Saturday."
Like most athletes, McCarthy insists that he prepares the same each week. Isn't this at least a little more exciting?
"Nothing changed excitement-wise," he said. "I just have to take it as any other game and just play."
The Union (11-9-7, 40 points) have seven MLS games remaining. While it's too early to be clinching a playoff berth, they could certainly tighten their grip on a spot with a win over a Chicago team that has MLS's worst record (5-12-8, 23 points).
The top six Eastern Conference teams will qualify for the playoffs and the Union are in fourth place, nine points ahead of the current seventh place team Orlando, which owns a game in hand.
The Union don't expect to take a step back despite not having their all-star keeper.
"He is a pro and this is what he has prepares for, similar to the backup quarterback role," Union coach Jim Curtin said of McCarthy. "You have to be ready when your number is called."
@sjnard