Philadelphia Union Soccer Team Signs Cinnaminson's John McCarthy

John McCarthy Jr. is realizing the dream of many young athletes. He has the opportunity to play his chosen professional sport for his hometown team.

McCarthy 22, signed with the Philadelphia Union, the Major League Soccer team announced on Monday.

“It’s great,” McCarthy said. “I grew up in Philadelphia. I followed the team since it started and watched it grow. I know some of the guys on the team, and I’m excited for the chance to play.”

McCarthy Jr. 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 then played college soccer at LaSalle University. He started all four seasons there, was a three-time all-Atlantic 10 performer, an NSCAA Scholar All-American and was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list heading into his senior year.

He followed in the footsteps of his father, Cinnaminson Mayor John McCarthy, who played center back at LaSalle in the late 1970’s.

“He’s worked tremendously hard for this. He’s worked very hard, and he sacrificed a lot in high school and college,” said Mayor McCarthy, whose other son Patrick led the South Jersey Group II champion Cinnaminson High School Pirates in scoring in 2014.

The junior McCarthy was the United Soccer League’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Rookie of the Year while playing with the Rochester Rhinos in 2014.

His father is happy to get the chance to see him play closer to home.

“It was a six-hour ride to Rochester,” said McCarthy, who saw his son play five professional games last season. “ … I would’ve taken any team, but for him to play for the hometown team is great.”

McCarthy was grateful to the coaching staff at Rochester, and for the season he had while he was there.

The Union’s newest goalkeeper led the USL with a 0.72 goals against average after allowing just 13 goals in 18 games last season. He was 8-4-6 with 10 shutouts and 41 saves.

“I played 18 games as a rookie, and that’s a huge step in anyone’s career,” McCarthy said.

When the opportunity to take a step up in competition while playing closer to home came up, it was a chance he couldn’t pass up.

“I had an opportunity to come to Philadelphia, and I took advantage of it,” McCarthy said.

He knows making the roster will be tough.

“It’s a dream come true to sign with my hometown team,” McCarthy said in a statement on the team’s website. “I’m thrilled with the opportunity and am looking forward at having a chance to contribute to such a great organization.”

Zac MacMath played a majority of the games in goal for the Union last season, starting 29 games and making 77 saves. He was 9-10-10.

Rais Mbolhi, who led Argentina to the knockout round of the World Cup last year, signed with the team in July. He was 1-1-2 in four starts.

Andre Blake, who’s just a few years older than McCarthy at 28, started the other game.

McCarthy said all the goalies have been helpful.

“It’s going to be tough to find a way to play,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy is looking forward to the challenge, and the chance to live his dream.

The Union, which was 10-12-12 in 2014, starts the 2015 season at home against the Colorado Rapids on March 7.

The attached image was posted on The Philadelphia Union’s Facebook page.

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