Photo: Paul Rudderow
A reported change in goal for the Philadelphia Union is the focus of the latest edition of the KYW Philly Soccer Show.
On Tuesday, CBS3’s Kevin Kinkead reported that Union head coach Jim Curtin has decided to bench starting goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi following the team’s dramatic loss in Kansas City on Sunday.
KYW’s Greg Orlandini is joined by Kinkead in this episode of the pod to talk with Union goalkeeper John McCarthy, who is widely expected to start in Saturday’s game against New York City FC ahead of Andre Blake, who is just now returning to full training after knee surgery in the offseason.
McCarthy, the USL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2014 with the Rochester Rhinos, says if called upon by the team, he is ready to go. The local product (FC Delco, North Catholic, La Salle, Ocean City Nor’easters, Reading United) also talks about the excitement he feels in getting the chance to play for his hometown team at PPL Park.
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To listen to the pod, click on the player above or visit the Philly Soccer Show iTunes page. Follow the pod on Twitter at @KYWPhillySoccer.
Good Luck John! PCL in the house! I bet there are a bunch of Falcons there to cheer you on!
I have commented before about the Union FO’s need for Improved PR tactics. (e.g. A good start would be reading the fan blogs and paying at least some attention to them). While PR acumen may be the least of this club’s current problems, here is some free PR advice from somebody who led a major corporate PR department: do not put M’barrassing on the 18 this weekend. He is certain to be roundly chastised just for walking onto the field. He needs to be given time and space to retool himself and prove his proficiency, if he has any to prove. If he appears at all in a Union kit, it has to be on the road for the foreseeable future. And give the guy some PR/behavioral counseling if you intend to play him at all. Silence is not improving his image, but when he has spoken in the past, he’s hit all the wrong notes.
+1 You would think this would be less PR acumen and just common sense.
Mccarthy’s Northeast Phila accent is such gold.
+1
You can forgive a goaltender if they’re struggling because in that case teammates (especially defence) will rally around and take the heat. However MBolhi and the Union display none of this. Nick(it wasn’t me)Sakeiwicz has placed a locker room morale killer on the Union. I’m not just talking about MBolhi but the situation Sakeiwicz has created on this team and this fan base. MBolhi isn’t helping his cause by alienating himself from his teammates, the fans, and the media. The best goaltenders will bond with his defense by taking them out to dinner or for drinks…etc to establish that bond. MBolhi appears to show disdain for this team. If at all possible MBolhi should be sold, even if the Union takes a hit financially(it wouldn’t be the first time). Edu drops back at CB and does what MBolhi and Vitoria where bought here to do. A back line of Williams, Edu, Vitoria, and Gaddis should be the way to go moving forward. If White has to come in for anyone we know Edu can calm him down and help him play a solid game. McCarthy and Blake should be able to handle the load. With Lahoud keeping his game simple with Nogs and Maidana the midfield should be solid enough. I think that Wenger needs to sit. The problem is who would replace him? McLaughlin? Also what about Sapong for Le Toux? Any thoughts out there?
I’m all for youth, especially if this season is already toast. Give Jimmy Mac a run! I still think CJ needs a week or two….he was only going 50% on anything in the air last match…..and clubs are going to flight balls in the box like crazy now because they all think the Union can’t handle it. Wait till he is 100% so he can really challenge for balls. With Le Toux, I think it really comes down to which formation we come out in. If they are in 4-4-2, which Jimmy clearly looks more comfortable in ( and I can’t stand, but I’ll deal with it if they play better!), Seba needs to play up top. If they are in 4-2-3-1….it looks like Seba’s running the flank.
I agree if Le Toux is going to the flank then he’s got to get balls into the box where Aristequieta is patrolling. Same for Wenger if he’s in the game. I’m glad Williams is healthy again at least he can help open up Le Toux’s game and make Aristeguieta even more dangerous.
“It’s not so much him, its the fact he’s here” had me laughing out loud