Jose Carlos Mercado has spent time since July with Orlando City SC to get more seasoning as goalkeeper.
Supporters will remember the goalkeeper tension around Orlando City SC earlier this MLS season. That was when starting netminder Pedro Gallese got called to international duty with Peru. That left backup keeper Mason Stajduhar in charge.
But Stajduhar had a shocking collision with New York City FC winger Malachi Jones. Both players left the field on stretchers.
Injuries are unpleasant. Yet they are a part of every field sport. So Orlando City can’t pass up any opportunity to season new goalkeepers. That’s where Carlos Mercado comes in. He came to the senior club roster from Orlando City B on a short-term agreement.
Mercado joined the B squad this season on an MLS NEXT Pro contract. He’s only appeared in four matches before joining the City roster. But in that limited sample, he registered 16 saves and a 2-1-1 record.
His best performance was in the Orlando City B draw against Crown Legacy FC. His two saves earned Mercado this first clean sheet of the season. It was also the first clean sheet for the club since late May.
The match ended 0-0 in regulation, but City lost the following shootout 3-1.
The Laredo, Texas-born Mercado was previously on the San Antonio FC squad in the USL. He was also previously in the FC Dallas Academy, playing college ball in San Antonio.
Scouting reports note Mercado’s developing skillset in goal, as well as his concentration.
MLS rules allow clubs to sign a player, age 25 or younger, to a maximum of four short-term agreements in a season of up to four days. The player may appear in up to four matchday rosters in the season.
The club may roster up to four short-term players in a match.
Orlando City has continued to use short-term contracts mainly to expose developing players to the senior club. When the time is right, some of those players get into the MLS action.
Expect Carlos Mercado to get some of that action sooner than later.