Which MLS Team Will Zac MacMath Play for in 2015?
By Phil Naegely
The Philadelphia Union removed Jim Curtin’s interim tag on Friday making him the head coach for the 2015 MLS season. Curtin can now focus on the Union’s busy offseason ahead that includes the Dispersal Draft and the Expansion Draft. With the latter, Curtin will need to decided which players to protect and which players to leave available for selection by New York City FC and Orlando City SC. One player’s future in Philadelphia that is unknown is Zac MacMath.
There are three logical places MacMath could be playing during the 2015 MLS season. There could be other locations but these three locations below make the most sense.
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Philadelphia Union
One of the Union’s fan favorites may be on the way out of the City of Brotherly Love. During the 2014 MLS SuperDraft with the first overall pick, the Union selected University of Connecticut goalie and generation Adidas player Andre Blake. Essentially, Blake’s salary does not count against the Union’s salary cap. Likewise, as a generation Adidas player Blake is automatically protected from the Expansion Draft.
The other goalie on the Union’s roster is Algerian national team goalie Rais Mbohli. He was signed during the Summer transfer window and only played five games for the Union. He spent most his time away due to national team call-ups and spending time with his wife after the birth of their child.
Both Blake and Mbohli have been called-up for Jamaica and Algeria, respectively, during the November international window. During the 2015 season, the Blake and MBohli will most likely miss time due to international team call-ups. This is one factor to consider when the Union decide whether to protect MacMath or not for the Expansion Draft.
It would be best to not lose MacMath for nothing in return. Likewise, who would the Union play in net when both Blake and MBohli are out of town for international duty. It doesn’t appear that MacMath is being called for international duty anytime soon with a talented line of American goalies.
If MacMath were to stay in Philadelphia, the Union could loan out Andre Blake for the year. In this case, MacMath would be MBohli’s back-up but should play often given how many times MBohli was away from the team this year.
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Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC traded with the Houston Dynamo for veteran Tally Hall. However, they aren’t done acquiring goalie talent. If MacMath is left unprotected, Orlando could draft him. However, they could try to acquire him before the Expansion Draft like they are doing will Hall.
Hall and MacMath are proven MLS talent. They are both what an expansion team could use. Their experience could help lay a solid foundation for an inexperienced expansion side in their inaugural season. Likewise, the team will be made up of other somewhat experienced MLS players through the Expansion Draft. However, team chemistry will be something Orlando’s coaching staff will need to be intentional developing.
MacMath is from the Sunshine State. Likewise, Hall is recovering from injury and it would be smart for Orlando to have two talented MLS ready goalies incase Hall’s recovery takes longer than expected.
It will be interesting to see if Orlando acquires another talented goalie and how they do. It’s possible to get MacMath for nothing in return in the Expansion Draft, yet it is unknown whether the Union will protect their young, but experienced goalie.
New York City FC
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The second NYC area based MLS franchise could be in the market for another young keeper. Their expected starting goalie, Joshua Saunders, is currently on loan with NASL side San Antonio Scorpions. They are apart of NASL’s four-team championship bracket. Saunders is 33 years old, but was apart of three MLS Cup winnings sides. He has experience but his age could be a factor.
On the other hand, MacMath is only 23 years old and has four years of MLS experience. It appears Saunders would be the starter, but MacMath as the back-up would be a wise option.
As it did with Orlando City, New York City FC could wait until the Expansion Draft to draft MacMath if he’s left unprotected. At the same time, they could trade for MacMath if they a high on having the Union goalie on their roster and don’t want Orlando City getting his services.
All in all, MacMath’s future on the Union and in the league itself is one of the many storylines worth watching as the offseason approaches. Where do you think MacMath will be playing next season?