The impending transfer of Raïs M'Bolhi to the Philadelphia Union, coupled with Zac MacMath's excellent form, and next year's Expansion Draft looming on the horizon, there is no better time than the present to consider the future of goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

Throw into the mix the possibility of signing Zack Steffen, current University of Maryland goalkeeper, a player who is considered by many future USMNT caliber on a homegrown player contract and things get even more complicated.

“MacMath's trade value will never be higher (in reality, they probably should've pulled the trigger two months ago after his string of penalty kick saves), and his future here is somewhat uncertain anyway, as a young American player who likely has visions of Europe dancing in his head. ...Look around the Union lineup. There are not many tradable assets.”

-CSN Philly writer Steve Moore

Philadelphia may look to improve in three locations with a trade. Their chief needs appears to be a better option at left back, as Ray Gaddis, although excellent this season, plays better at right back, with Sheanon Williams as his back up. Meanwhile, Fabinho has been torrid as of late. They could even look at a center back as the future of Amobi Okugo and Maurice Edu may remain in midfield, leaving Ethan White and Austin Berry as the central defenders remaining.

They may also choose to go after a less urgent need in the form of a young, quick center forward or winger to replace the aging Conor Casey or Sebastian Le Toux, as Andrew Wenger simply isn’t cutting it. However, with the arrival of Brian Brown on loan, it remains to be seen whether or not that is a legitimate issue.

Twitter as per usual only added more fuel to the fire that is transfer rumors during silly season, when Kevin Kinkead, writer for Soccerly and Philly Soccer Page stated on his twitter account on July 28th “Alright, I'm hearing that Rais M'Bolhi to Philadelphia is close to being done. Zac MacMath more likely to be moved than Andre Blake.” Followed by, “but again, New England, Montreal, Toronto, Houston, Portland seem like the clubs that would have interest in a GK.”

With that in mind I composed a list of names based on the teams mentioned of players that Philadelphia could potentially consider trading Zac MacMath for (while attempting to be realistic), they are the following:

New England: Kelyn Rowe, Jose Goncalves, A.J. Soares. Houston: Andrew Driver, Kofi Sarkodie, Giles Barnes. Montreal: Justin Mapp, Jack McInerney, Eric Miller. Toronto: Doneil Henry, Dominic Oduro, Steven Caldwell, Justin Morrow. Portland: Schillo Tshuma, Steve Zakuani, Rauwshan McKenzie. Add to that Chivas USA given Dan Kennedy's age and the Vancouver Whitecaps purely based on David Ousted's form.

However, given neither club has expressed a desire to find another goalkeeper that is pure speculation. Of the names listed I believe Miller, Morrow and Soares may be the most realistic. However, the recent arrival of both Miller and Morrow, and Soares' increased playing time this season with New England, none may wind up being viable.

The possibility also remains of selling him overseas or trading him for an allocation pick. The former of which remains the more realistic with MacMath having supposedly expressed his desire previously to test himself abroad. The Columbus Crew remain as the highest in the allocation pick order to not have received a player this season, and do not appear in need of a goalkeeper at this current moment; the allocation draft may not be an option for Philadelphia.

However, if a deal could be worked out, I could see Philadelphia attempting to grab someone like Tim Ream if he decides to return to MLS although with him having recently signed a new contract they may have to wait. The more likely option would be to get Sacha Kljestan whose playing time appears to be dwindling at Anderlecht but with Philadelphia's depth in central midfield that doesn't appear to be a transfer they would pursue. If they decide to see attacking reinforcements instead, Brek Shea who remains on the fringes of the Stoke City squad could see a return to MLS.

If Philadelphia decide to sell MacMath to a European team, a move to England, specifically the English Championship could be a possibility, with no language barrier and a list of teams such as Derby County, Ipswich Town or Nottingham Forrest who could use a goalkeeper of his quality. (Given Forrest's Karl Darlow makes the move to the Premier League as expected this summer.) As of 2012, Transfermarkt, a website which evaluates players' worth placed Zac MacMath's value at 176,000 pounds sterling, or approximately $300,000, the same fee that Philadelphia is reported to have paid for Raïs M'Bolhi. Given MacMath's age and recent form, that value may have even doubled since 2012.

Whatever the method of transfer may be, the likelihood is by the end of this summer, we may not see Zac MacMath suit up for Philadelphia again.