The Philadelphia Union Release Goalkeeper Thorne Holder

by Scott Kessler on Jul 26, 2011 2:55 PM EDT in News

Thorne Holder, a former Trinidad and Tobago youth international, was released by the Philadelphia Union today.

Holder started the season off as the Union's second string goalkeeper, but a concussion and other injury problems relegated him to last on the depth chart, behind Faryd Mondragon and Zac McMath. The 25-year-old had not seen any playing time with the Union's first team during the 2011 MLS season, but had played a bit versus Everton in last Wednesday's friendly.

By waiving Holder, the Union open up an international slot that can be used on a new player, if the Union so choose to use it as such. The team still has one discovery claim left for the season, which would allow the Union to bring in one more non-MLS or non-designated player onto the team for this season.

The Union are down to only 23 players out of a possible 30 roster spots, leaving them with one of the smallest rosters in MLS.

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That solves the International slot problem.

Hope Thorne finds work elsewhere.

by phillyhoosfan on Jul 26, 2011 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Replacement Question

Scott, correct me if I’m wrong here, but won’t we be forced to sign another keeper to fill this roster spot with the remaining reserve league matches? If MacMath has to start a league match for any reason, won’t he be unable to play in the reserve match? I’d expect we’d have to sign a waived keeper from another team or a domestic player who wouldn’t consume a discovery claim?

by sully127 on Jul 26, 2011 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, someone like Brad Knighton. Or maybe even Brad Knighton.

by Laaaaazzz on Jul 26, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Couldn’t we play an academy keeper?

by danielfarrell on Jul 26, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I was surprised to see us use an international roster spot on a 3rd string gk in the first place, so I’m not shocked to see him go. I’d imagine we’ll sign someone to be safe, but if there’s a dire situation in the meantime, we can pull from the league’s emergency goalkeeper pool. As for reserve matches (3 in August, 1 in September, 1 in October), Zack Steffan from FC Delco / Union U18 Academy can fill in.

by mk_27 on Jul 26, 2011 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

Let the Speculation Begin...

You don’t drop a player making probably next to nothing but occupying an international roster spot on a team full up on them unless you’re thinking of bringing in another international player…. any rumors? Scott, I know you mentioned 3 people training with the Union, do we have their names?

by Domin8ing the Big Ten(11) on Jul 26, 2011 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

consistency

we released Perk (our third keeper) about the same time last season. I realize this is a different circumstance freeing up an international spot but is Nowak showing consistency only keeping two keepers for the second half of the season?

by Boomz136 on Jul 26, 2011 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

but there was no reserve league last year, so circumstances are very different

by sully127 on Jul 26, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

We can call up academy kids (which we’ve already done a few times) and the Harrisburg GK for the remaining 5 reserve games if MacMath can’t go – Holder was inactive for at least 2 months with a concussion. With a 1-3-1 record, I don’t think we’re going to put ourselves in a position to hurt the first team to better our reserve squad.

Game 1: Thorne Holder full 90 (Zack Steffan unused sub)*
Game 2: Zac MacMath full 90 (Zack Steffan unused sub)
Game 3: Zac MacMath full 90 (Zack Steffan unused sub)
Game 4: Zac MacMath full 90 (Thorne Holder unused sub)
Game 5: Zac MacMath first 45, Thorne Holder last 45.
Game 6: 8/15
Game 7: 8/21
Game 8: 8/29
Game 9: 9/18
Game 10: 10/16

*MacMath played in U20 World Cup qualifying quarterfinal 4 days earlier, was on bench for Union full match.

by mk_27 on Jul 26, 2011 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions