The Orlando City goalkeeper was rushed to hospital after a collision with Malachi Jones. Head coach Oscar Pareja claimed the injury was preventable.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jun 29th, 2024 21:37 EDT0
JARED C. TILTONAFP
Orlando City fell to a 4-2 road defeat to New York City FC on Friday evening but the postgame thoughts were dominated by a serious injury to City goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar.
The 26-year-old was filling in for regular number one Pedro Gallese, who is currently away with Peru at Copa América. Stajduhar started well against NYCFC but suffered a major collision with Malachi Jones after 17 minutes, forcing the keeper to be stretchered from the field with a serious lower leg injury.
“The ball came in behind me, and then I see Mason run out,” explained Orlando defender Dagur Dan Thorhallsson. “I think he kicks the ball and the other guy comes, and I just hear a loud, basically like a click. He’s screaming and I didn’t know what it was. And then I look at his leg, and his leg was dangling, and I just looked away and basically just wanted to go, so I went to the stands, and just stood there with my eyes closed.”
Mason Stajduhar has been taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition. You’ve got the whole club and our fans behind you, Mason. 💜 pic.twitter.com/8PD02Xd4UF
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 29, 2024
Orlando boss criticises officials after Stajduhar injury
Stajduhar and Jones collided as the NYCFC winger raced onto a long through-ball over the top of the Orlando defence. He was entitled to challenge for the ball but the play should have been brought to a stop due to offside.
