Out of the blue, Orlando City SC traded longtime Lion Mason Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake yesterday in exchange for $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), a second round draft pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, and up to $150,000 in GAM based on performance metrics. With Carlos Mercado and now Mason Stajduhar having departed, only Pedro Gallese and the inexperienced Javier Otero remain, with the club likely to add another backup goalkeeper behind Gallese.
The longest-tenured player in club history, Stajduhar overcame a battle with Ewing sarcoma – inspiring us all when returning to the field in 2018. A bone cancer survivor and 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion, Stajduhar set an Orlando City SC single-match club record with 11 saves against Chicago Fire in June 2024. He also made history as the first goalkeeper to record an assist for the Lions at Toronto FC on 2023 MLS Decision Day.
A patient backup, yet always dependable when called upon, Homegrown Player Stajduhar made 22 appearances (all starts) and 65 saves for Orlando City SC across all competitions, with 16 appearances coming in Major League Soccer.
Unfortunately, his time with the club ended tragically when he broke his right tibia and fibula in a collision with New York City FC’s Malachi Jones on June 28, 2024.
Now set for a new challenge out west in Utah, we wish Mason all the very best at America First Field.
Thank you, Mason 💜
We have acquired $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) from @realsaltlake in exchange for Homegrown goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 15, 2025
This keeper is ready to rep Claret & Cobalt
Welcome to the club, Mason!!
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 15, 2025
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following Mason Stajduhar’s trade to Real Salt Lake.
🧤🦁 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍 𝘼 𝙇𝙄𝙊𝙉 🦁🧤
Bone cancer survivor. Homegrown. Lion. 💜
Thank you for always reppin’ @OrlandoCitySC with pride, Mason Stajduhar. 👏🏽
Wishing you all the best out west at @realsaltlake. We now need another GK on the roster. 😬#OrlandoCityUK 🦁🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/M8R506aOuE
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 15, 2025
Forever a Lion 🦁 pic.twitter.com/H3SGtmP9TX
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 15, 2025
Mason departs as the longest-tenured Lion in club history. A huge part of the 2022 Open Cup run and a guy who literally came of age with the club. All the best to a legend! https://t.co/rzs5i2eqbB
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) January 15, 2025
Gotta say I didn’t see this coming. Longest tenured HG and player with the club. Curious if he gets to compete for a starting job now or what this entails. Best of luck to him #VamosOrlando #OrlandoCity https://t.co/DUuSOD42FK
— mike. (@mikeaspillane) January 15, 2025
Massive thanks to Mason for his time at the club. His respect for the supporters was always felt.
Forever a Lion. #VamosOrlando https://t.co/y9Qd0foLM0 pic.twitter.com/NuzIeUXp9H
— Iron Lion Firm (@IronLionFirm) January 15, 2025
Thank you and good luck, Mason! https://t.co/1GPrIokNNZ
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) January 15, 2025
We will ALWAYS love you, Mason! https://t.co/IxSn5Ujrwu
— RUCKUS (@RuckusOrlando) January 15, 2025
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Mason Stajduhar departs #OrlandoCity pic.twitter.com/bGpdg8Sb5D
— The English Lion (@TheEnglishLion1) January 15, 2025
Forever a Lion. 🦁 #VamosOrlando https://t.co/tp7LICjhwW
— Loud and Proud Orlando (@lpo_podcast) January 15, 2025
Favorite Mason moment hands down was the Atlanta win in his very first start… the emotion just pouring out of him the second that match ended https://t.co/RXtMHYegZB
— Derek Cody (@derekcody) January 15, 2025
#OrlandoCity moves GK Mason Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake. The $50K in GAM Orlando received for the trade adds to their already $3,990,312 in GAM as they look to replace Facundo Torres. https://t.co/pf7TDBxPFr
— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) January 15, 2025
Shocked and sadden to see this. He had amazing talent and such a nice guy – Devin and I have met him. Wish him all the best! Forever a Lion 💜🦁🙃 https://t.co/Ce7a8z8i4X
— Kristen Legge (@KLegge09) January 16, 2025
No midfield depth, Facu gone and now I believe the only keepers on the first team are Gallese and otero. I’m failing to see the direction the front office is taking https://t.co/t9rDeKdoZ7
— spence_beatriceOCSC (@FloridaisPurple) January 15, 2025
Ya'll got a good one @realsaltlake. Forever a Lion. https://t.co/qtCVSJuJnN
— nothinbutnick (@nothinbutnick) January 15, 2025
Oof. Mason leaving wrecks me. 💔
— enkore (@enkore_enkore) January 15, 2025
Hope Mason can finally start almost every game instead of riding the bench behind El Pulpo. Wish we could have kept him but he needs playing time
— Kyle Meerdo (@MeerdsBeards) January 15, 2025
#OrlandoCity’s longest tenured player is heading to RSL.
Stajduhar suffered a broken leg last season. This past Monday was seen kicking the ball for the first time since the injury.
Recovery in full process but a new chapter for the player. https://t.co/zt0vSY1WHX
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) January 15, 2025
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