ORLANDO, FL. - Orlando City SC goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar was diagnosed with Localized Ewing Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, and begins treatment this week. Stajduhar will be placed on the First Team’s Season Ending Injury List.
“This is a difficult situation for Mason and his family, and I speak on behalf of our entire organization in standing behind the Stajduhars through his recovery process,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “We will respect their privacy during this time and ask that everyone does the same.”
An exam by team doctors uncovered a cancerous lesion that prompted further evaluation. “Fortunately for Mason, we discovered this early, giving him a better chance for a cure and full recovery,” said Daryl Osbahr, MD, medical director for Orlando City SC and chief of sports medicine for Orlando Health. “We’re dedicated to working with Mason and his oncologists to fight his bone cancer and begin his road to recovery.”
Stajduhar, 19, starred for the Orlando City Development Academy U-18 squad and was named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Best XI in 2015. In November 2015, at just 17 years old, Stajduhar was signed as a Homegrown goalkeeper for Orlando City during the team’s inaugural season in MLS and has since trained with the First Team and Orlando City B, the Club’s USL side. Though he has yet to make his professional debut, Stajduhar has been included in five OCB 18-man gameday rosters, including in four of OCB’s last six matches in 2017.
The East Lyme, Conn., native has appeared with the U.S. U-18 and U-20 national teams and made his youth international debut in October 2015 against Scotland.
About Orlando City SC:
After winning three USL Pro regular season championships and two postseason titles over a four-year span, Orlando City SC quickly set the standard for professional soccer clubs both on and off the field and was awarded the 21st Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise on Nov. 19, 2013. The Lions played their first two seasons in MLS at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, where they held the second-highest average attendance in MLS. In 2016, the Club launched Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Orlando City B in the United Soccer League (USL).
In March 2017, Orlando City SC unveiled its brand new, privately financed downtown stadium. With a capacity of 25,500 fans, Orlando City Stadium creates the most exciting game-day experience for fans in the country.
For more information, visit www.orlandocitysc.com, www.orlando-pride.com or www.orlandocityb.com.