Time for Novak Micovic to prove his worth
What’s been the hot topic among Galaxy fans lately? The goalkeeping of 23 y/o Novak Micovic, who won the starting job over veteran John McCarthy in preseason. The Serbian’s play during his first two matches has been scrutinized by some who believe McCarthy should still be in net.
“It’s interesting. Last year when the goalkeepers came in, I had a vision for what it was going to look like and John disrupted that vision you know,” Vanney explained after LA drew Austin FC 2-2 at Coachella.
“John [McCarthy] has obviously shown us, we know exactly who John is and what he’s capable of doing and what he brings to the table for our team. In the moments that Novak [Micovic] got opportunities last year he looked really good as well. I think it’s important that we allow them to compete for the position, and we’re obviously grateful to John and what he did for us last year, but like everybody it’s the start of a new season, and it’s a new competition.”
Translation: Last year McCarthy won the starting job fair and square, but now it’s Micovic’s time to prove his worth.
As Vanney noted, these are two different type of keepers. JMac is the steady, experienced veteran and a formidable shot shopper. Micovic is a shot shopper in his own right who can also play with the ball at his feet and is proficient in the air.
Who Vanney should deploy in goal is a decision more complex than selecting his preferred choice. As Will Kuntz will surely tell you, half the battle of winning MLS Cup these days is roster building, and a part of that process is developing players. It was Edwin Cerrillo who leveled up and locked down a starting role during last season’s championship run, and the club is hoping Micovic can be that guy in 2025.
The Galaxy currently have four goalkeepers on the roster, three of whom (JMac, Micovic and JT Marcinkowski) are tradable assets. If another club needs a proven reliable GK, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go after McCarthy. If LA needs spare cash, the best way to do so without compromising the squad is by moving a keeper.
In the meantime LA has to decide what to do with Micovic, who’s signed through 2026 with an option year. For his part Micovic requested a transfer back in August when the Serbian returned to the bench following two monster performances in Leagues Cup.
It’s a tough call. McCarthy has performed well enough to start, but at the risk of losing a talented keeper with lots of upside, how much longer can the Galaxy afford to sideline Micovic? If there were ever a time to give Micovic his chance, it’s now.
As for Micovic’s play the first two matches?
180 minutes is an absurdly small sample size, but for the most part Micovic looked about how you’d expect a young keeper without many regular season minutes to perform. Moments of brilliance mixed with some indecisiveness, notably when Micovic was culpable of a poor pass to Emiro Garces which compounded into a San Diego FC goal. On the flip side, Micovic had four stops that day and basically robbed Hirving Lozano at one point. Expect the Serbian’s performances to improve as he gains more experience and builds chemistry with his teammates.
Micovic is the starting keeper for now, but it’s his job to hold onto.