Know thy enemy and know thyself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated, according to ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu. Wise advice and a good way to spend spare time while you wait for the next match at work. In our abundant lead-up time, we’ve picked out a few of the brightest stars the Galaxy have to offer ahead of MNUFC’s Conference Semifinal match against LA, and we turned all our research into a couple of handy scouting reports. So, without further ado, let’s get to know the next name on the list:
SCOUTING: John Joseph McCarthy III
- Age: 32
- Birthplace: Cinnaminson, NJ
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 185
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Preferred Foot: Right
Strengths
- Shot-stopping
- Positioning
Weaknesses
- Distribution
- Coming off his line
Key Stats
- Second most saves in MLS - 127
- 74.4% Save Percentage
Career Accolades
- MLS Cup 2022
- MLS Cup MVP 2022
- Supporters Shield 2022
- Concacaf Champions League Golden Glove 2023
- Concacaf Champions League Best XI 2023
Summary
John McCarthy may not be the flashiest name in MLS goalkeeping, but his experience and grit have made him one of the league’s best in recent times. A product of the classic American soccer pathway, McCarthy played college soccer for the La Salle Explorers in Philadelphia before joining the lower levels of the USL in 2011. From the Ocean City Nor’easters to Reading United, McCarthy earned his stripes with commitment, signing his first pro contract in 2014 with the Rochester Rhinos. He won USL rookie of the year and Goalkeeper of the Year in his first pro season, turning heads in MLS and securing a jump to the Philadelphia Union. He bounced around on various USL loans before proving that he was good enough for MLS, and he’s lent his services to several teams since 2020, suiting up for Inter Miami, LAFC, and the Galaxy.
While many teams have opted for goalkeepers with above-average footskills, the Galaxy have gone for a different style. McCarthy faces a lot of shots in the high-octane, attack-heavy system that his team plays, as it naturally leaves the back vulnerable to counters. Luckily, McCarthy’s biggest strength is his shot-stopping ability, pairing perfectly with his team’s needs. The Galaxy conceded 50 goals in the regular season, among the worst tallies of teams that made the postseason. Without McCarthy in net, they likely would have given up even more, though, as his fantastic positioning and reflexes have made him a specialist between the posts.
Though McCarthy is comfortable on his line, his ability to come out and collect crosses or snuff out an overhit long ball are not among his strongest attributes. If the Loons can get to the endline and cross the ball, they might be able to put him off his game enough to nullify his shot-stopping capabilities. This is a veteran keeper with a history of proving himself in big moments; he’s not going to be easy to get past.
But don't just take my word for it—check out some of McCarthy's best moments to get a taste of what the Loons are coming up against:
