UPPER MERION, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union’s goalkeeping situation continues to be a fluid one.
With Zac MacMath on loan with the Colorado Rapids and Rais Mbolhi currently with the Algerian national team at the Africa Cup of Nations, Andre Blake is the only one of Philly’s roster goalies currently at preseason camp.
But that will change soon as the Union are prepared to announce the signing of a third goalkeeper – one who may end up playing in some important games this season because Mbolhi and Blake (Jamaica) could leave for international duty at the same time.
“There will be an announcement in the coming days on a decision that’s already been made,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said. “We have Rais, who’s been doing well at the Africa Cup of Nations. Andre has been very sharp; he’s come into camp and looked excellent. … We’re going to need a third that can come in and be a guy that not only sits on the bench but be ready if he’s called upon in a game.”
The Harrisburg City Islanders’ Brian Sylvestre and the Rochester Rhinos’ John McCarthy are the two goalkeepers currently on trial with the Union, and it appears McCarthy has the leg up on making the squad.
After a standout career at La Salle University in Philly, McCarthy joined the Rhinos last year and was named the USL PRO Rookie of the Year and the USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year in his debut professional season.
If he does make the team, though, he’ll certainly be behind Blake, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 SuperDraft who’s coming off an impressive performance at the Caribbean Cup this offseason.
Now, the Jamaican is relishing the fact that he’s the top goalie in camp as he hopes to compete for the starting role in 2015.
“I mean, it’s a great feeling I would say, but I’m not trying to do too much,” Blake said. “I’m not trying to over-impress. I’m just going in and being me and working hard every day and trying to have good days and good weeks.”
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Blake, who made a key save in the shootout to lift Jamaica to the country’s sixth Caribbean Cup title in November, hopes his international experience translates to the MLS stage.
Last season, as a rookie, Blake made only one league appearance and two more in the US Open Cup.
“Going back and playing in the tournament was perfect because it happened right at the end of the season, so I was pretty much in shape,” he said. “So I went right in, and I think that’s the main part of why I had such a successful tournament down there. It was great winning the Caribbean Cup and putting on a good show.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
