Union set to lean on rookie goalkeeper MacMath

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With a crucial stretch of the MLS season glaring down upon them and aninjury to starting goalkeeper and captain Faryd Mondragon now weighingdown their climb back to the top of the Eastern Conference, for thenext few weeks, the fate of the Unions quest for the postseason couldrest on the shoulders of 20-year-old rookie goalie Zac MacMath.

And thats OK with him.

Theexpectations of the coaches and the team is just to find any way tohelp the team to win, MacMath said on a conference call on Monday,after noting that the coaching staff still hasnt tapped him officiallyas the replacement keeper. We havent won in a couple weeks and ourmain goal is to get three points in our game against New England onWednesday. Its about giving the team the best opportunity to win.

MacMath,who was drafted fifth overall by the Union in the 2011 MLS SuperDraftand was part of the US National Teams under-20 team, received hisfirst taste of MLS action on Saturday against Real Salt Lakea 2-1loss at Rio Tinto Stadium. MacMath gave up no goals after replacingMondragon in the 46th minute.

Obviously not the way I wanted toget my debut, in a loss or with Faryd getting hurt, but it definitelytakes some of the nerves away for future games, MacMath said.

Ithought I did OK. Maybe a little sloppy on a couple saves, but overall,my main goal was to keep the team in the game and I think I did that.

Buteven with the circumstance less than ideal, MacMath couldnt help butfeel the sudden emotion of not only his first contest, but one in whichhis team needed to come back.

I was excited, he said. I waslooking to help the team and the most important thing was to get backinto the lead. I just didnt want to give up any other goals.

I was a little nervous at halftime warming up but once I got out there, I was pretty comfortable.

Breakinghis finger during the run-of-play, Mondragon, an all-star who is fifthin the MLS in shutouts with seven and has started all 25 Union games,reported on his Twitter account that he will miss two-to-four weekswith the injury.

According to the team, Mondragon, 39, is setto undergo a procedure on Tuesday that will solidify the timeline ofthe veterans recovery.

This comes at the wrong time for theUnion, who have four games in the next 16 days, beginning with theRevolution on Wednesday and the Portland Timbers on Saturday, both atPPL Park.

Theres added pressure because were in the playoffrace and need some points, said the young keeper. I dont think itllaffect me or the pressure will be added to me personally. The wholeteam has it.

Without a win in their last six games, the changein goal comes at crucial time of the season for the struggling Union,who are hanging on to the ninth spot in the 10-team MLS playoff picture.
E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com

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