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.
Union waive goalkeeper Thorne Holder.
T&T youth international joined Philadelphia in '11 preseason
Philadelphia Union today announced the club has waived goalkeeper Thorne Holder after the player was acquired during 2011 preseason training in Orlando, Fla. The Trinidad & Tobago youth international joined the Union from Adelphi University on March 1.
Yet to make his professional debut in Major League Soccer, Holder saw action with the Union reserve team against the New York Red Bulls, D.C. United, Toronto FC, and the New England Revolution. Holder played the second half of Philadelphia's 1-0 shutout victory over Everton in an international match at PPL Park on July 20.
Name: Thorne Holder
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-4
Weight: 183
Born: April 4, 1986
Hometown: Port Of Spain (Trinidad & Tobago)
Citizenship: Trinidad & Tobago
Last Club: Adelphi University
Union waive Holder to make space during transfer window
By Dave Zeitlin (MLSsoccer.com)
Earlier this week, Thorne Holder became the latest casualty of the Philadelphia Union’s ever-revolving door of goalkeepers.
Now the question is who will replace him.
As expected, team manager Peter Nowak said during his weekly press conference Thursday that Holder’s release was done to precipitate other moves before the international transfer window ends on Aug. 14.
“We’re in the middle of the transfer window, so in order to accomplish something necessary, because of the restrictions, you have got to make some moves,” Nowak said. “That was part of our thinking. And we’re still looking. It could be a week or two, but we’ll try to do it before the window shuts down.”
While the Union have plenty of room to add to their 30-man roster, Holder’s release opens up an international spot they previously did not have. Among other moves, the Union will almost certainly look to bring in another third-string goalkeeper to take Holder’s place.
Holder, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, was signed by the Union after an impressive preseason but didn’t get many opportunities during the year to show his worth, in large part because he was third in the pecking order behind 40-year-old Faryd Mondragón and 19-year-old Zac MacMath — or as Holder once called them, “a legend” and "a prodigy."
The third-string 'keeper never made his MLS debut, playing in only four reserve games and last week’s friendly against Everton FC, when he held the English Premier League team to a scoreless second half.
“Thorne was a great guy in the locker room but unfortunately, he didn’t see many minutes or many games,” Nowak said. “It’s difficult to manage that.”
In less than two years of existence, the Union have now parted ways with four goalkeepers, three of whom have been waived. Almost exactly a year ago, the Union dumped third-stringer Brian Perk, and then, in the offseason, replaced the Chris Seitz-Brad Knighton tandem with Mondragón and MacMath.
Perk and Seitz are currently reserves with the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas, respectively, while Knighton is arguably the best 'keeper in the North American Soccer League as a member of the Carolina RailHawks.
“It’s always a hard thing,” Nowak said. “The trades, waivers — we are with these guys every single day and if you have a guy who comes in every single day with a great mentality and is great in the clubhouse, it’s difficult to part ways. It’s never going to be easy.
“It’s not that we don’t need [Holder], or any other player. But we can’t pull a rabbit out of the hat if we don’t have the resources.”
Union release Thorne Holder: A fan’s reaction.
By Mark Paul (sports.yahoo.com).
The Philadelphia Union have sent a message that they view Zac MacMath as the goalie of the future.
The Union parted ways with Thorne Holder. The young goalie joined the Union in the 2011 preseason and seemed to have a bright future. While he hasn't seen any MLS action so far in 2011, Holder did play for the reserve team and also played in the second half against Everton. He has a bright future, but that won't come in Philadelphia.
As a Union fan, I'm sad to see Holder go. However, putting faith in MacMath is the smarter choice.
The Union have Faryd Mondragon, a goalie who will represent the team at the MLS All-Star game on July 27. Mondragon is clearly the starter, but he is also 40 years old. That means there are questions as to how much longer he can play.
In MacMath, the Union have a 19-year-old goalie that isn't too far off from being ready for MLS play. MacMath played the second half against Real Madrid and looked really strong. MacMath has also been a member of the national U-20 team. Clearly, he looks like the kind of goalie that can take over once Mondragon's career in Philadelphia ends.
As comfortable as I am with MacMath, it is still a shame to lose a talented player like Holder. At 25 years old, Holder still has a lot of soccer left him. I hope he finds a nice landing spot in MLS or in another league. He had some spotty play in his reserve league appearances but looked settled against Everton. That was a big step for Holder. But these kinds of transactions are a part of sports.
The Union needed to make room on the roster and Holder was one player who was expendable. He shouldn't take this as a criticism of his talent. I have no doubt that he will succeed elsewhere. But the pressure is now on MacMath to live up to the hype once he does take over for Mondragon. He will need to work hard and take advantage of every opportunity he gets.