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New York City FC’s inaugural MLS squad: Where are they now?

By Matt Coles

New York City FC player starting line up Josh Saunders (12), Shay Facey (24), Andoni Iraola (51), Angelino (69), Chris Wingert (17), Mehdi Ballouchy, (20), Javier Calle (30), Andrew Jacobson (4), Thomas McNamara (15), Kwadwo Poku (88), and Captain David Villa during the 2015 MLS Match between New York City FC vs Orlando SC on July 26, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY, USA . New York City FC won the match with a score of 5 to 3. Photo �� Ira L. Black (Photo by Ira Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
New York City FC player starting line up Josh Saunders (12), Shay Facey (24), Andoni Iraola (51), Angelino (69), Chris Wingert (17), Mehdi Ballouchy, (20), Javier Calle (30), Andrew Jacobson (4), Thomas McNamara (15), Kwadwo Poku (88), and Captain David Villa during the 2015 MLS Match between New York City FC vs Orlando SC on July 26, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY, USA . New York City FC won the match with a score of 5 to 3. Photo �� Ira L. Black (Photo by Ira Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 08: Team captains David Villa #7 of New York City FC and Kaka #10 of Orlando City SC leads their respective teams out during introductions prior to an MLS soccer match between the New York City FC and the Orlando City SC at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on March 8, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. This was the first game for both teams and the final score was 1-1. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 08: Team captains David Villa #7 of New York City FC and Kaka #10 of Orlando City SC leads their respective teams out during introductions prior to an MLS soccer match between the New York City FC and the Orlando City SC at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on March 8, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. This was the first game for both teams and the final score was 1-1. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

The start of the 2015 MLS season saw New York City FC make their Major League Soccer debut. But where are those inaugural 18 players now?

New York City FC’s first Major League Soccer cash came against fellow expansion-side Orlando City on March 8th, with Kaká’s last-minute equaliser earning a point for the Lions.

The Sky Blues went on to finish in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, missing out on the playoffs by twelve points in their inaugural year in the league, but have since become a dominant team in MLS. Nevertheless, where are those original 18 players now?

Related Story. Orlando City inaugural MLS squad: Where are they now?. light

Let’s take a look at the 18 individuals manager Jason Kreis selected for New York City FC’s MLS bow.

ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 14: Orlando City SC goalkeeper Josh Saunders (28) dives for a save during the Open Cup soccer match between Miami FC and Orlando City SC on June 14, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 14: Orlando City SC goalkeeper Josh Saunders (28) dives for a save during the Open Cup soccer match between Miami FC and Orlando City SC on June 14, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

GK – Josh Saunders – Unattached

The starting goalkeeper for New York City FC the day they made their MLS debut was American-born Josh Saunders. He played 33 times over the course the 2015 campaign for the Sky Blues.

Saunders made his professional debut for the Portland Timbers in 2003, whilst he was on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes. After a permanent spell with the Timbers, Saunders then signed for LA Galaxy, before immediately being loaned back to Portland.

He then had spells with Puerto Rico Islanders and Miami FC before moving back to the Galaxy, where he made his MLS debut in 2008. Shortly after that, Saunders made his international bow, playing twice for the Puerto Rico side, keeping clean sheets in both games against Bermuda.

The shot-stopper spent another four seasons in California before making the move to Real Salt Lake. He then joined NYCFC a year later, and spent a season with the side before they made the transition to MLS.

He played 66 times for the club in his two-year spell in MLS, before then signing for Orlando City ahead of the 2017 term. Saunders had a short spell with the Lions’ B team but has been unattached since the end of that season.

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