As the goalies turn: Mbolhi back with Union
The unsettled goalie situation for the Union has taken another bizarre twist. Rais Mbolhi, who had been away from the Union the last five games as a way of clearing his head after a disappointing start, is back with the team.
The unsettled goalie situation for the Union has taken another bizarre twist.
Rais Mbolhi, who had been away from the Union the last five games as a way of clearing his head after a disappointing start, is back with the team.
Mbolhi arrived Tuesday in the nick of time. That's because during practice Tuesday, in which Mbolhi participated, Union keepers John McCarthy and Andre Blake both were injured and won't play Saturday against the Whitecaps in Vancouver.
McCarthy suffered a concussion, and Blake, who missed a month of training after left knee surgery in February, tore the meniscus in his right knee and will have surgery.
"You can't make it up, the timing is beyond crazy," said Union coach Jim Curtin, whose team has stumbled to a 1-6-3 start. "I have never seen two goalkeepers get hurt in one season, let alone 45 seconds apart in practice."
Curtin said he and Mbolhi talked Sunday night and they agreed that the Algerian World Cup keeper would return.
According to Curtin, it had been the coach's idea for Mbolhi to leave the team.
"I decided it was best for him to be away from our team," Curtin said. "He took a month away and we decided it was time for him to come back."
Despite the desperate situation, Curtin wouldn't say for sure that Mbolhi will start Saturday.
"Hopefully, he will be up to the task if we decide to go with him, and [Vancouver] is a tough place to get a result."
Vancouver (5-3-2) is tied for first place in the Western Conference.
Mbolhi hopes to atone for what has been a disappointing tenure with the Union since signing July 30.
This season, the Union have allowed 18 goals, the most by far in Major League Soccer. Houston is next, having allowed 13. The Union, Vancouver, and Houston have all played the most MLS games, 10.
Mbolhi, who has not spoken to local reporters this season, started the first five games for the Union and had a 1.80 goals-against average, allowing nine goals while making 10 saves.
McCarthy, the former North Catholic and La Salle University standout who is making his MLS debut this season, started the last five games. He has identical statistics to Mbolhi's - a 1.80 goals-against average, nine goals allowed, and 10 saves. The two are tied for 20th in goals-against average.
Blake, the first overall pick of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, has appeared in just one MLS game for the Union and that was last season. Curtin said that he was considering starting Blake this week before his injury.
The Union will have to add a keeper whether Mbolhi starts or not Saturday.
One possibility, according to Curtin, is Brian Sylvestrie, who is competing for the Carolina Railhawks of the NASL. Sylvestrie, 22, trained with the Union during the preseason.
Notes. Curtin said it's likely that defender Steve Vitoria (groin) will miss his second straight game. Midfielder Michael Lahoud, who suffered a hip-pointer in Saturday's 1-0 loss to visiting Toronto, is expected to be out four to six weeks. . . . Midfielder Vincent Nogueira, who missed the last three games with an ankle injury, has returned to practice. Curtin said he should be ready to go, but probably not for 90 minutes. . . . Forward C.J. Sapong, who missed Saturday's game after his arrest Friday on charges of DUI and reckless driving, is being evaluated for a week in California and then MLS will make a decision how to move forward, Curtin said.
Goalie Problems
Union keepers John McCarthy and Rais Mbolhi both have a 1.80 goals-against average, which is tied for 20th in the 20-team Major League Soccer. The keepers have allowed nine goals each and the 18 goals is the most in the league. The Union have also played the most games.
The previous three seasons with Zac McMath as the main starter, the Union fared better in goal. The Union were tied for second in fewest goals allowed in 2011, the only season they made the playoffs. That year, Faryd Mondragon earned a berth on the MLS all-star team and had a 1.06 goals-against average in 27 starts. MacMath had a 1.06 GAA in seven starts (and eight games).
Here are the Union's goals allowed and where they stood in MLS during their first five seasons in the league.
Year GA MLS Rank MLS teams
2014 51 T-2 19
2013 44 11 19
2012 45 11 19
2011 36 T-2 18
2010 50 T-14 16
- Marc NarducciEndText