Orlando City have not been in MLS very long, but they're getting quite familiar with the Homegrown Player concept.
The Lions announced a new Homegrown Player signing on Monday, as goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar was promoted to Orlando's senior squad from the club's U.S. Soccer Development Academy program. Orlando's first Homegrown Player signing was defender Tommy Redding, while midfielder Harrison Heath and defender Tyler Turner are also listed as Homegrown Players on the club's Web site.
A US youth international who took part in the U-20 team's recent trip to Germany, the 18-year-old product of Lithia, Florida, was named to last season's U-18 USSDA Best XI team by U.S. Soccer and is ranked as the country's No. 4 overall goalkeeper in his age group by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
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"This is a great moment for our club and for Mason, who has continued to improve his skills and confidence as a goalkeeper," said Orlando general manager Paul McDonough in a statement.
"We place a great deal of energy and resources into developing young players like him, who can be a part of our monumental growth and share in our successes both on and off the field. We are confident in his ability to step up and learn from his teammates. Also, special thanks to our academy coaching staff for their efforts in preparing Mason for the next level."
Stajduhar starred for Orlando City's U-16, U-18 and U-23 academy teams over the past two seasons and trained regularly with the first team during Orlando's inaugural MLS campaign. The club recently announced they field a reserve team, Orlando City B, in USL play next year.
