Josh Saunders very much lives in the present.
The goalkeeper is excited about helping lead the San Antonio Scorpions into the North American Soccer League playoffs, which kick off next month, but he also can’t help to think about what lies ahead with New York City FC.
“I’m living in the moment and I want to win here. More than anyone else, I hate to lose,” Saunders told MLSsoccer.com. “But there are times sometimes when I sit at home and look forward to what the future has to hold.”
Saunders has made 13 appearances during his loan with San Antonio, who occupy second place in the NASL Fall Season standings. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Scorpions can clinch the second seed for the upcoming playoffs.
“It’s been going really well. It’s great getting to perform and get back to health and get back to full fitness,” Saunders said. “It’s a tactical team that wants to play. It’s similar to what I’m used to with teams looking to play out of the back and build from there.”
The road back to Major League Soccer has been long and arduous for Saunders, who has 20 shutouts and a 1.20 goals against average in nearly 60 MLS appearances.
On July 13, 2013 when playing with Real Salt Lake, Saunders tore his ACL in a match against FC Dallas. He underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the season. His option was declined after the season.
Saunders, who also helped the LA Galaxy to back-to-back MLS Cup appearances, said since the surgery he has become mentally and physically stronger.
“Off the field, in the weight room, I’ve gotten stronger and have more balance with my lower body,” Saunders said. “Because I’m better, I have a stronger attitude and I use that knowledge to better perform on the field.”
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Nearly a year to the day of his season-ending injury, Saunders was signed by New York City FC, where he is reunited with Jason Kreis, his coach at RSL.
“It’s a great feeling because it’s been a long road for me with the surgeries and the ACL,” Saunders said. “For me it’s a boost of confidence, because he does believe in me.”
Saunders said almost immediately upon signing, Kreis offered a proposition he couldn’t turn down.
“It was a little surreal. The next morning after being signed, Jason called and left a message to call him back immediately,” Saunders said. “He asked me if I had a chance to go to Manchester City, would I be willing?
“I said that’s not really a question. It’s a statement.”
Saunders said the experience of training with the English Premier League heavyweights in the preseason was remarkable.
“I’m used to two-a-days here, but I never experienced three training sessions in a day at the highest level. It was pretty incredible,” Saunders said. “The talent level and the speed of play was great. There were no mistakes. I remember telling people the only time the ball went out of play was for a goal kick. It was just awesome.”
His present may be with San Antonio, but Saunders is excited about his future in New York.
“Based on the players we’ve already signed, it’s going to be an amazing group,” Saunders said. “We’re going to have 28 players on the team competing for positions. There’s a ton of players who want to play in New York and who want to play for Jason.”
