Saunders, the younger brother of Shawn Saunders, spent the final two seasons of his collegiate career at Berkeley, after spending the previous two at California State University, Fullerton. He was named a First Team All-Pac-10 selection in each of his two seasons with the Golden Bears, and during his senior season he became the first keeper ever to be named Pac-10 Player of the Year. He has a B.A. in American studies.
Professional career
Saunders with Galaxy
After being selected in the fourth round of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft Saunders made the roster of the San Jose Earthquakes, but did not appear in an official match. Instead, Saunders played on loan with the Portland Timbers in the USL First Division, where he played every minute of his 16 games, allowing only 15 goals, giving him a 0.90 GAA for the 2003 season. The next year, he started 24 games and posted a 1.11 GAA with six shutouts. Chief among his feats was a 363-minute scoreless streak, which, until recently, was the longest in Timbers history.
Saunders joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2005 as third-choice keeper behind Kevin Hartman and Steve Cronin, but again failed to appear in a first team game, logged only 15 minutes as a substitute in a game for the Galaxy's reserves. In 2007, Saunders and three other players were waived from the LA Galaxy.[1] Some bloggers suspected this was due to the massive expense of acquiring soccer star David Beckham,[2] and despite a successful pre-season trial with Chicago Fire, signed for the Puerto Rico Islanders for the 2007 season.[3] He made his debut for the Islanders in a 2–1 victory over the Rochester Raging Rhinos on April 14, 2007.
On April 11, 2008, Saunders signed with Miami FC, and subsequently made 27 appearances for the Florida team, until he was loaned to Los Angeles Galaxy in September 2008 for the remainder of the MLS season. Saunders signed a permanent contract with Galaxy in early 2009, and was expected to serve as understudy to Donovan Ricketts.
On November 22, 2009, he came on in the 2nd half in relief of the injured Ricketts during the 2009 MLS Cup. Despite holding Real Salt Lake scoreless for the remaining 26 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time, Saunders was unable to guide the Galaxy to their 3rd MLS Cup title when he could stop only two of seven Salt Lake penalty attempts.
Saunders had an impressive season during 2011, putting in commanding performances in the Galaxy's goal in the absence of Ricketts, who was out for most of the season with a long-term injury. In 2012, he guided Galaxy to victory in MLS Cup 2012 helping the club win their 4th MLS Cup in history and first back-to-back championships.
On February 22, 2013, Saunders contract with Galaxy expired and it was not renewed due to the arrival of Carlo Cudicini. After requesting to join the preseason camp of Real Salt Lake, Saunders saw his first minutes with the Claret and Cobalt in a preseason win over the Galaxy. He was later signed as a backup for Nick Rimando.[4] During Rimando's absences for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Saunders made 2 starts, but tore his ACL on July 13 against FC Dallas and missed the rest of the season, and his option was declined following the season.[5]
On July 10, 2014, it was confirmed that Saunders would sign for MLS expansion franchise New York City FC on a free transfer, joining the San Antonio Scorpions on loan until the end of 2014. It was also confirmed that he would join New York City's sister club Manchester City in their tour of Scotland.[6]
Saunders was traded by NYCFC to Orlando City on January 27, 2017, in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.[7] Saunders' contract option was not renewed by Orlando City following the 2017 season.[8]
International career
In 2008, Saunders made his debut with the Puerto Rican national team, and is now considered to have Puerto Rican sporting nationality. Prior to his international switch, Saunders made an appearance for the U.S. U-23 national team in 2002 against Canada.[9]
Jason Clarence Kreis is an American soccer coach and former player who is the head coach of the United States under-23 team. From 2021 to 2023, he also served as an assistant coach for MLS club Inter Miami. He coached Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer and was previously an assistant coach under Jürgen Klinsmann for the United States men's national soccer team. Prior to that he was the head coach of New York City FC and Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake (RSL) is an American professional soccer club based in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. The club competes as a member club of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the Western Conference. Founded in 2004, the club began play in 2005 as an expansion team of the league.
Ned Grabavoy is an American former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. He is the general manager for the Portland Timbers.
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Nicholas Paul Rimando is an American former professional soccer player who last played as a goalkeeper for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He holds the Major League Soccer records for career wins, clean sheets, saves, and overall appearances.
Donovan Ricketts is a Jamaican former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is currently a goalkeepers coach for Carolina Core FC. Ricketts played more than 100 games for Bradford City in England, and has more than 100 appearances in Major League Soccer and has twice been named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He was also the captain of the Jamaica national team, earning 100 caps for his country, until his retirement from international football in 2014.
MLS Cup 2009 was the 14th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS). The soccer match took place on November 22, 2009, at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington, and was contested between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.
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The 2009 Los Angeles Galaxy season was the 14th season of the team's existence. It began on March 22, 2009, with a 2-2 home draw against D.C. United, and ended on November 22, 2009, with a loss on penalties to Real Salt Lake in the 2009 MLS Cup Final.
The 2010 Real Salt Lake season was the sixth year of the club's existence. It was also the sixth year for the club in Major League Soccer and the sixth-consecutive year for the club in the top-flight of American soccer.
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The 2013 season is the 101st season of competitive soccer in the United States.
The 2013 Real Salt Lake season was the team's ninth year of existence. The team finished the season as runners-up in the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup.
The 2014 Real Salt Lake season was the team's tenth year of existence and also the first year with new head coach Jeff Cassar. The team's first game was on March 8 at StubHub Center.
The 2015 Major League Soccer season featured 20 total clubs. The regular season was held from March 6 through to October 25, whereas the MLS Cup Playoffs began on October 28 and ended with MLS Cup 2015 on December 6. The defending MLS Cup champions were the LA Galaxy, while Seattle Sounders FC were the defending Supporters' Shield winners.
The 2015 Orlando City SC season was the club's fifth season of existence in Orlando and first in Major League Soccer, the top-flight league in the United States soccer league system.
The 2018 Real Salt Lake season is the team's 14th year of existence, and their 14th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid.
The 2019 Real Salt Lake season was the team's 15th year of existence, and their 15th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid.
The 2020 Real Salt Lake season was the team's 16th year of existence, and their 16th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid.
References
↑ "Los Angeles Galaxy: News: Article". Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2007. Los Angeles Galaxy Media Relations, "Los Angeles Galaxy waive four players" January 2, 2007
↑ Soccerjones.com, "ReAL Salt Lake, I’ve Got A Keeper For You" February 21, 2007
↑ "Chicago Fire: News: 02/13/2007". Archived from the original on February 20, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2007. Chicago Fire Media Relations, "Scoreless draw for Fire vs. Crew" February 13, 2007
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