Josh Saunders has been sidelined for the rest of the season. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City SC and former New York City FC goalkeeper Josh Saunders will miss the remainder of the Major League Soccer season with a cervical disc herniation.
Saunders will undergo surgery for his neck injury Monday.
Orlando City acquired the 36-year-old Saunders via a trade from NYCFC Jan. 27. He started 66 regular season matches in 2015 and 2016. Saunders was benched for last year’s MLS playoffs, in which City was eliminated by eventual MLS Cup finalist Toronto FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Toronto FC won the aggregate goals series, 7-0, winning at home, 2-0, and then at Yankee Stadium, 7-0.
Saunders played for Lions head coach Jason Kreis at Real Salt Lake in 2013 and NYCFC in 2015. Saunders has been the backup for Joe Bendik in every MLS game this season and started City’s Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup match against Miami FC June 14.
The Grants Pass, Ore., native is a two-time MLS Cup champion with the LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012. Saunders has made two senior international appearances for the Puerto Rico national team.
