Goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who has spent most of the season serving as the MLS backup to Joe Bendik, made his first appearance with Orlando City B against the Rochester Rhinos on Wednesday night. While the team wasn’t able to get the win, Saunders helped ensure that they walked away with a positive result.
“He kept us in there at the end,” Head Coach Anthony Pulis said after the match. “I think he'll be the first to admit he made a mistake for the first goal, but he's made three or four fantastic saves at the end where, again, we're pushing numbers forward to try and get the winner, and again, that always leaves you vulnerable, usually a little bit open at the back. And they countered pretty well. And like I said, he ended up keeping us in it with some decent saves.”
The appearance comes as Orlando City starts a two week long international break. Orlando City Head Coach Jason Kreis wanted to take advantage of this free time and have Saunders get some playing time at OCB. “[First Team Head Coach Jason Kreis] wanted Josh to get a game,” Pulis said. “Simple as that.”
Saunders stepped into the role comfortably. Defender Zach Ellis-Hayden praised his leadership skills and his vocal role on the pitch.
“Josh is great. He is definitely a leader out there,” Ellis-Hayden said. “It’s good to hear him talking from the back, especially as a defender in the back four. I hear him behind me, telling me right or left and telling me where to go. His leadership is definitely important.”
Saunders is just one example of how the MLS squad uses Orlando City B to make them an overall stronger team. The USL side allows Orlando City to develop young players, rehabilitate injured players, and give more minutes to players who might not be getting time with the MLS squad. Both the MLS squad and the USL squad will return to action next week-- Orlando City will host Miami FC for their first game of the U.S Open Cup, while Orlando City B will travel to Canada to face Toronto II. Both matches will take place on Wednesday, June 14th.
