clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Philadelphia Union looking to sign Brian Sylvestre

In an article on mlssoccer.com about the Philadelphia Union goalkeeper, manager Jim Curtin says the club is looking to sign Sylvestre.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In an article by mlssoccer.com's Dave Zeitlin, Philadelphia Union boss Jim Curtin says the club is looking to acquire goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre from the Carolina Railhawks - the NASL club who currently holds his rights.

Although Sylvestre’s loan deal is short-term, Curtin said the team is "actively pursuing" a way to keep him for longer. Sylvestre, meanwhile, is trying to forget about the uncertainty of his contract situation, saying that he’s only focused on helping the Union right now.

Sylvestre's current short-term loan deal keeps him with the Union for about another month, so the Union have some tough choices to make regarding not only the future of the 22-year-old keeper, but the future of Andre Blake and John McCarthy as well.

If the Union sign Sylvestre, it will most likely mean McCarthy is expendable. While McCarthy's performance during the penalty kicks against the Rochester Rhinos was impressive, his tendencies to come out of his box and challenge attackers for the ball have led to more than one heart-stopping moment for Union fans. Blake on the other hand has shown he can be brilliant, earning the Golden Gloves Award for leading Jamaica to the 2014 Caribbean Cup. He has, however undergone meniscectomies on both knees and has yet to play a minute for the Union in 2015.

Sylvestre also won't come for free. Carolina will want to be compensated for him, and they currently have 2015 second-round pick Dzenan Catic on loan from the Union. It's possible that Carolina could demand even more from the Union and that these negotiations could get ugly. The next month will tell.