his first action for the Hoops since playing 46 minutes in a 4-0 loss at Toronto FC on June 17. The second-year midfielder had spent the end of June and much of July with the U.S. team at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada.
McCarty, who is tied for the team lead with four assists, returned along with teammate Anthony Wallace earlier in the month, but Morrow chose to work McCarty back into the lineup gradually.
"It was great to be back in the lineup," McCarty said. "It's been about a month and a half since I have been with the team because of the (under-) 20s. I talked with Steve about it and he said that it would take a little bit to work me back in because some guys had stepped up while I was gone."
McCarty admits that once he returned to FCD, he fully expected to have to earn a starting spot all over again.
"From a coaching standpoint, I understood and was totally fine with having to work my way back in and having to fight to get my spot back," he said. "The circumstances in the first two games (of SuperLiga) called for me not to get in and that's how things go.
"In the third game, after 20 minutes, I knew that I had to be ready because I knew that Steve was going to make some changes. I just wanted to come in and try and help the team to get back into the game goal-by-goal. We gave a good fight but unfortunately, in the end, it wasn't good enough."
McCarty played a small role in the 11-goal thriller on the score sheet, serving the corner kick that Abe Thompson headed home for the final goal of the night.
"I thought he did well," Morrow said. "I asked him to be a little patient after he was away for a few weeks and told him that he needed to work his way back into it again. The guys did well while he was away, so he's working hard to try and get back into the starting lineup.
"He got a good opportunity [Tuesday] and made a good contribution. He looked good on the ball, passed it well and got forward well. He was lively throughout the game and I thought he did well."
Like most members of the FCD squad, McCarty can't remember ever being part of a game where a total of 11 goals were scored.
"That was by far the craziest game I've ever been part of. To give up that many goals while scoring that many is very unlikely. It's a testament to this team that shows our character and will to never give up," he said. "Ultimately, we have to work on getting those first 20 minutes right and not getting ourselves into a 4-0 hole. I don't know any team in the world that could come out of that. We gave it a good shot but we just have to step it up this weekend (against Colorado)."
McCarty's performance on Tuesday opens the door for him to make his return to the starting 11 for Saturday night's match against Colorado at Pizza Hut Park. He and MLS All-Star Juan Toja made a solid one-two punch in the Hoops midfield earlier in the year and Morrow could look to pair them together yet again.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
