LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ahead of first-place Louisville City FC’s showdown against Bethlehem Steel on Sunday, the Club has added U.S. youth international goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar on a short-term loan from Orlando City SC, the Club announced on Friday. The 18-year-old shotstopper will be available for selection by coach James O’Connor for Sunday’s match (3 p.m. | WATCH PARTY).
Per Club policy, the terms of the loan agreement are not disclosed.
O’Connor’s typical No. 1, Scott Goodwin, will serve a 1-match ban after receiving a straight red card in Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. LouCity’s Greg Ranjitsingh is expected to make his first start of the season on Sunday.
Stajduhar, a top U.S. Soccer prospect, ranks fourth overall in the United States at his position, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com.
The 6-foot-2-inch Stajduhar has featured for Orlando City SC’s academy at the U-16, U-18 and U-23 Academy level over the past two seasons. He’s received a call-up to train regularly with the professional side during Orlando’s inaugural MLS campaign in 2015.
Stajduhar was named to the U-18 USSDA Best XI team by U.S. Soccer for the 2015 campaign.
At the national team level, Stajduhar has featured for the United States’ youth teams, recently representing the U.S. U-18 and U-20 Men’s National Teams.
The youth product has not seen any official minutes for Orlando City’s senior side, although he featured as an unused substitute in seven of Orlando City’s MLS matches in 2016.
LouCity embarks on a two-match road trip with visits to MLS-affiliates Bethlehem Steel (3 p.m. |MATCH CENTER) on May 1 and Toronto FC II (7:30 p.m. | MATCH CENTER) on May 4.
LouCity’s next home game is a showdown with regional-rival Saint Louis FC on May 14 (7:30 p.m. |TICKETS).
