Education
McCarthy played youth soccer with the Dallas Texans 88". Former teammates include Andre Akpan, Ross LaBauex, Jonathan Villanueva and Omar Gonzalez. This team also won three National Championships along with being the only American team to win the Dallas Cup Super Group.
During that year both Manchester United and Real Madrid took part in the international tournament.
McCarthy attended Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas.
During his senior year along with leading Nolan Catholic to a State Championship, he was also awarded the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Division I Offensive Player of the Year. As well as being recognized as an All-State selection (2006).
McCarthy played college soccer at Santa Clara University, and later transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He also played USL Premier Development League for the Dallas–Fort Worth Tornados and then the Carolina Dynamo in the following year.
