When talking about goalkeepers around the league, the Philadelphia Union’s Zac MacMath isn’t mentioned in the same breath as Jimmy Nielsen (SKC), Nick Rimando (RSL) or even the Impact keeper Troy Perkins, but the 2011 5th overall SuperDraft pick has quietly kept his team in the playoff hunt with some solid play down the stretch.
So how important has the University of Maryland product been for his club. Well, the only time the Union has earned points in its last six games is when MacMath records a shutout.
“ We have a ton of confidence in Zac, there’s no question. ”
- John Hackworth, Philadelphia Union team manager
Following a five-game winless streak in midseason, the Union are 2-2-2 its last six games thanks to the four goose eggs MacMath has posted over that span. He has 12 shutouts on the season – tied for tops in MLS - and has played every minute of all 32 games for Philly thus far.
The 22-year-old is fifth in the league in saves with 95 and is in the top 10 in goals against average with 1.25.
Despite a couple of blunders to start the season, MacMath has regained the confidence of his teammates and coaching staff.
“We have a ton of confidence in Zac, there’s no question,” Union manager John Hackworth said in an interview with MLSSoccer.com. “We’re proud of him. He’s a young player and is growing and getting better and better.”
He’ll need to be when the Union visits the unfriendly confines of Stade Saputo this Saturday.
