Cinnaminson's John McCarthy Helps Philadelphia Union to Season's First MLS Win

John McCarthy picked up a win in his Major League Soccer debut, and the Philadelphia Union picked up their first win of the season Saturday night.

McCarthy, the son of Cinnaminson Mayor John McCarthy, needed to make just three saves as the Union defeated New York City FC, 2-1, at PPL Park.

Vincent Nogueira scored the game-winner in the 92nd minute, taking advantage of a collision between New York goalie Josh Saunders and the Union’s Conor Casey to put the ball in the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

The Union improved to 1-3-2 for a total of five points this season. New York fell to 1-2-2, and also has five points.

Zach Pfeffer scored the first goal of the game for the Union in the 27th minute.

David Villa tied the game in the 57th minute. Villa took advantage of a quick pass after McCarthy left the net to challenge a defender for the empty net goal.

McCarthy credited a strong defense with aiding him in a victory in his first outing during a postgame interview on WPVI 6. It was a defense that faced an aggressive New York team that possessed the ball for 63.4 percent of the game. Still, the Union outshot New York, 12-7.

McCarthy, a Philadelphia native, was the focal point for much of the buildup for this game. He got the nod after Rais Mbolhi was benched earlier this week. Mbolhi, who led Argentina to the knockout round of the World Cup last year, started the first five games of the season, but appears to no longer be with the team.

McCarthy said in the postgame interview he wasn’t nervous heading into his first game.

McCarthy grew up in Philadelphia, and began his high school career at North Catholic High School. When he moved to Cinnaminson with his family, he remained at North Catholic for the duration of his career.

He also played at LaSalle University, the Ocean City Nor’easters and the Rochester Rhinos of the USL.

This was the first meeting between Philadelphia and New York, one of the league’s two expansion teams this season. It won’t be long before the teams see each other again.

The Union visit New York at Yankee Stadium Thursday night, 7 p.m. The game will air on The Comcast Network in Philadelphia and the YES! Network in New York.