John McCarthy Bio
John Joseph McCarthy III (born July 4, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. A product of La Salle University, McCarthy built his reputation through standout seasons in the lower divisions of American soccer before establishing himself as a reliable presence in MLS. His career highlights include a league MVP performance in a championship match and multiple league titles with different clubs.
McCarthy has spent his professional career moving between developmental leagues, loan spells, and top-flight clubs, earning recognition for his reflexes, composure under pressure, and shootout expertise. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, he is regarded as a dependable shot-stopper whose big-game moments have helped shape the modern history of his clubs.
Early Life and Background
John Joseph McCarthy III was born on July 4, 1992, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Growing up in the Philadelphia area, he developed an early interest in soccer and played as a goalkeeper for his high school team, the Northeast Catholic Falcons. During his youth career, he helped lead the Falcons to a Catholic League and City Championship in 2008, demonstrating the kind of leadership and shot-stopping ability that would later define his professional career. His strong high school performances set the stage for his transition to the college game.
McCarthy was later inducted into the North Catholic Soccer Hall of Fame in 2026, an honor that recognized his long-term contributions to the sport from his earliest playing days. His Philadelphia roots would later play a major role in his career when he signed with his hometown MLS club in 2015.
Path to Soccer
McCarthy played four years of college soccer at La Salle University between 2010 and 2013, where he became one of the most decorated goalkeepers in program history. He set multiple career records for the Explorers, including most games played (74), saves (468), and shutouts (28). His college honors included Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team selections in 2011 and 2012, followed by an Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team nod in 2013, signaling his readiness for the professional ranks.
While attending La Salle, McCarthy gained valuable experience by appearing for USL Premier Development League clubs, playing for Ocean City Nor’easters in 2011 and 2012 and Reading United AC in 2013. These developmental stints allowed him to refine his technique and prepare for the demands of full professional soccer.
John McCarthy Career
Early Career (2014)
McCarthy signed his first professional contract with the USL Pro club Rochester Rhinos on February 27, 2014. In his rookie season, he quickly emerged as one of the league’s top goalkeepers, leading the league with a 0.72 goals-against average. His performances earned him both the USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year and USL PRO Rookie of the Year awards, establishing him as a rising talent in American soccer.
His time in Rochester provided the foundation for a move to Major League Soccer, where he would spend the next decade competing at the highest domestic level in the United States.
Philadelphia Union Era (2015–2018)
In 2015, McCarthy signed with his hometown club, the Philadelphia Union. Originally the third-choice goalkeeper behind Andre Blake and Rais M’Bohli, he earned a starting role after injuries and dips in form affected those ahead of him on the depth chart. He made his MLS debut on April 11, 2015, against New York City FC, earning his first top-flight win and helping the Union secure their first victory of the season. He went on to start eight league matches that year while playing a significant role in Philadelphia’s 2015 U.S. Open Cup run, which included four consecutive wins featuring two penalty shootouts before a final defeat.
From 2016 to 2018, McCarthy spent time on loan with the Union’s USL affiliate, Bethlehem Steel FC, where he made 11 starts and recorded 5 shutouts during Steel FC’s inaugural season. In 2017, he produced a notable performance in an away match against Sporting Kansas City, making five key saves, including a crucial foot stop on Latif Blessing in the 70th minute of a 1–1 draw. His time with the Union ended after the 2018 season, closing a chapter that included both personal milestones and team successes in cup competitions.
Tampa Bay Rowdies and Inter Miami Era (2019–2021)
McCarthy signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on January 31, 2019, where he enjoyed a productive season, making 26 appearances and posting 10 clean sheets. His consistency in the USL Championship kept him on the radar of MLS clubs, and in December 2019, he joined Inter Miami CF ahead of the club’s inaugural 2020 MLS season. He made his Inter Miami debut on October 7, 2020, in a 2–1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. Following the 2021 campaign, Miami declined his contract option, opening the door for a new chapter in his career.
Los Angeles FC Era (2022–2023)
On January 21, 2022, McCarthy joined Los Angeles FC for the 2022 season, with an option for 2023. His defining moment with the club came during the MLS Cup 2022 final against his former team, the Philadelphia Union. Subbed on in the 117th minute after teammate Maxime Crépeau was sent off, McCarthy delivered two crucial saves during the penalty shootout to deliver LAFC its first MLS title. His heroics earned him the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player award, cementing his reputation as a big-game goalkeeper.
LA Galaxy Era (2024–2025)
On January 5, 2024, McCarthy was transferred to LA Galaxy, the cross-city rivals of LAFC. With the Galaxy, he added another MLS Cup championship in 2024, defeating the New York Red Bulls in the final. His time in Los Angeles continued through the 2025 season, although his tenure would be cut short by a mid-year trade.
New York Red Bulls Era (2025–Present)
On August 22, 2025, the New York Red Bulls announced that they had acquired McCarthy from LA Galaxy via trade. In exchange, the Galaxy received a third-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft and $150,000 in General Allocation Money. The move brought McCarthy back to the Eastern Conference, where he had spent much of his early MLS career, and positioned him as part of the Red Bulls’ goalkeeping group for the remainder of the 2025 campaign and beyond.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCarthy is widely regarded as a composed and athletic goalkeeper with a particular strength in one-on-one situations and penalty shootouts, where his reflexes and mental toughness have repeatedly proven decisive. His record of penalty saves in high-stakes cup and playoff matches has been a hallmark of his career, and his ability to organize defenses and command his penalty area has earned him consistent playing time across multiple clubs.
Notable Events and Milestones
McCarthy’s most memorable performances include his MLS Cup 2022 heroics for Los Angeles FC, where he was named MVP after entering the match as a substitute and delivering two penalty saves to win the title. He also lifted the MLS Cup in 2024 with the LA Galaxy and was named USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2014, an unprecedented double for a single season. His induction into the North Catholic Soccer Hall of Fame in 2026 further underscored the long-term impact of his career.
John McCarthy Career Wins
John McCarthy has collected major team trophies across multiple stops in his career, most notably the MLS Cup in 2022 with Los Angeles FC and the MLS Cup in 2024 with LA Galaxy. He also earned the MLS Cup MVP award in 2022 for his decisive performance in the final, and his 2014 double of USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year and Rookie of the Year stands as one of the most decorated individual seasons for a goalkeeper in that league’s history. His ability to deliver in shootouts has been a defining feature of his championship runs.
MLS Cup Highlights
McCarthy won the MLS Cup with Los Angeles FC in 2022, entering the final as a substitute and producing two shootout saves against the Philadelphia Union to deliver LAFC’s first-ever league title. He was named the match’s Most Valuable Player for his performance. In 2024, he added a second MLS Cup title with the LA Galaxy, who defeated the New York Red Bulls in the final, making him a two-time MLS Cup champion across two rival Los Angeles clubs in consecutive years.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his MLS Cup success, McCarthy was a key contributor to Philadelphia Union’s 2015 U.S. Open Cup run, helping the club reach the final with wins in the first four rounds. He also enjoyed a strong 2019 season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, recording 10 clean sheets across 26 appearances, and was a reliable presence for Inter Miami during the club’s early MLS years.
John McCarthy Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
John Joseph McCarthy III was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his deep ties to the local soccer community shaped his early development. He played his youth soccer for the Northeast Catholic Falcons and later attended La Salle University, where he set goalkeeping records that still stand. His Philadelphia roots have been a recurring theme in his career, particularly during his time with the Philadelphia Union.
Personal Life
McCarthy is recognized professionally by his nickname-inspired social media handle, reflecting a personal brand that connects with fans. He has largely kept his personal and family life private, focusing public attention on his performances on the pitch rather than his off-field activities.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for John McCarthy. He began the campaign with the LA Galaxy, where he was coming off his 2024 MLS Cup triumph, before being traded mid-season to the New York Red Bulls on August 22, 2025. The move reunited him with the Eastern Conference and provided a fresh opportunity to compete for minutes in a new environment following the conclusion of his time in Los Angeles.
His arrival in New York added experienced goalkeeping depth to a Red Bulls squad aiming to build on its competitive 2024 playoff run. With the club having reached the 2024 MLS Cup final, expectations remain high for the team, and McCarthy’s championship pedigree has made him a valuable addition to the locker room as the season progresses toward its final stretch.
Looking ahead, McCarthy is contracted with the New York Red Bulls from 2025 onward, giving him a clear platform to compete for the starting role and contribute to the club’s ambitions. His track record in high-pressure moments suggests that he will remain a key figure for the Red Bulls as they pursue playoff success in 2025 and beyond.
