Union goalkeeper John McCarthy looks forward to his chance in U.S. Open Cup

Union goalkeeper John McCarthy has been waiting for his chance, but it's difficult when he's backing up the reigning Major League Soccer goalkeeper of the year in Andre Blake.

Blake was with the Jamaican national team for a friendly against Peru in Lima on Tuesday, so that opened up playing time for McCarthy.

Union coach Jim Curtin announced on Tuesday that McCarthy will start Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup game against the Harrisburg City Islanders at Talen Energy Stadium.

McCarthy, 24, played 11 MLS games for the Union his rookie season in 2015 and appeared in five U.S. Open Cup games that season. The Union advanced to the Open Cup final before losing to Sporting Kansas City in penalty kicks.

Blake had two knee surgeries that season and didn't play regularly until the end of the year.

Since then, Blake has been a fixture, and McCarthy has seen limited time.

McCarthy appeared in one MLS and one U.S. Open Cup game last year and has not appeared in a game this season.

"I am looking forward to playing, and I do plan on being ready," said McCarthy, a graduate of Philadelphia's North Catholic High and La Salle University. "It is a game that I will try to take advantage of as much as possible."

McCarthy said that sitting on the bench, even behind such an accomplished keeper, has been frustrating.

"It's terrible not to play," he said. "There is no easy way to put it."

He also understands why he hasn't seen time.

"Andre is doing well. There is no argument in that," he said.

McCarthy has played in two games for the Bethlehem Steel, so he has been game-tested, and Curtin expects him to be ready.

"I can't speak too much of the mindset of a goalkeeper because they are all crazy, but this is what they live for, being ready to play when called upon," Curtin said, laughing.

Then turning serious, he added, "They have to be ready to go from minute one."

Curtin, a former MLS defender, said McCarthy will be ready.

"He has gotten in games with Bethlehem to stay sharp, and in training he has been good," Curtin said.

U.S. Open Cup fourth round, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. at Talen Energy Stadium.

Records: Harrisburg City Islanders, 2-5-4 in the United Soccer League; Union, 4-6-4 in Major League Soccer.

Coaches: Harrisburg, Bill Becher, 126-108-77; Union, Jim Curtin, 32-42-26.

About the Open Cup: This single-elimination knockout tournament began in 1914. It is for teams of all levels in the United States. Major League Soccer Teams receive an automatic bye until the fourth round.

Up next: The winner plays in the round of 16, scheduled for June 28. The round of 16 draw will be Thursday.

Series: The Union is 3-0 in U.S. Open Cup games against Harrisburg.

Last year: The Union beat Harrisburg, 3-2, in a fourth-round game at Talen Energy Stadium. The Union lost in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup in a penalty kick shootout at the New England Revolution. After a 1-1 draw, New England won, 4-2, in the penalty kick segment.

About Harrisburg

- The City Islanders used to be the Union's USL affiliate until the Union launched Bethlehem Steel last year.

- Aaron Wheeler, a 6-foot-4 forward, is a former Union player who leads the Islanders with two goals in USL play.

- Harrisburg advanced with a 3-0 win over Reading United, the Union's Premier Development League affiliate. In the previous round, Harrisburg had advanced with a penalty kick win over the Ocean City Nor'easters, 7-6, after the teams played to a 0-0 draw through regulation and overtime.

About the Union

- Goalkeeper Andre Blake won't play since he is away with the Jamaican national team, which had a friendly against Peru in Lima on Tuesday. The Reggae Boyz lost 3-1; Blake played 82 minutes and was in net for all three goals conceded.

- Defender Oguchi Onyewu, who suffered a head injury in the Union's most recent game, a 2-1 loss at New York City FC, is available for selection after passing concussion protocol.

- Midfielders who won't play are Alejandro Bedoya (hamstring tweak suffered while playing for the U.S. national team), Warren Creavalle (hamstring) and Fabian Herbers (groin). Coach Jim Curtin indicated Bedoya and Creavalle could be ready for Sunday's home game against the New York Red Bulls.

- C.J. Sapong has a team-high eight goals for the Union.

- The Union lost in the Open Cup final in both 2014 and 2015.