Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado

Orlando City announced this afternoon that the club has signed OCB goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a first-team contract. The deal runs through 2024 with club options for 2025, 2026, and 2027.

“Carlos has done a great job this year with Orlando City B and has really performed well for us,” Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “With Mason Stajduhar’s injury earlier this season and Carlos’ performances with OCB, the opportunity has opened up where we don’t have to look outside the club to fill that position and can give a young goalkeeper an opportunity to continue developing and pushing our current goalkeeping corps. Carlos has shown us that he has the talent and work ethic to deserve that opportunity this season.”

Mercado joined OCB prior to the start of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season and split time with Javier Otero. When Stajduhar broke his tibia and fibula on June 28 in a game against New York City FC, Otero was forced to join the first team as the primary backup. As a result, Mercado became OCB’s full-time number one.

So far this season, Mercado has made 17 appearances for the Young Lions, conceding 26 goals and making 63 saves. The Laredo, TX, native has two shutouts on the season and a 1.53 goals-against average. He has an 8-4-5 record between the sticks this year and has helped his team win four shootouts.

Mercado signed a short-term contract with the first team earlier this season to back up starter Pedro Gallese. The game away to Toronto FC was his only time with the first team.

“I’ve given everything to this dream, fighting day in and day out, even when the path seemed impossible. Orlando City has invested and believed in me as a player, even when I thought I had nothing left,” Mercado said in the club’s press release. “The club has given me a chance to prove myself and I’m ready to give everything I have in return. I want to say thank you to the club, César Baena, and Marcos Machado for their guidance this year and for this opportunity.” 

Mercado played for the FC Dallas academy in his youth, earning call-ups to the United States U-16 National Team and Mexico U-18 National Team. He played collegiately at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, before joining San Antonio FC of the USL Championship.

The goalkeeper made his professional debut in 2021, coming on for the final 29 minutes in a 3-0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. He stayed with San Antonio FC through the 2023 season before joining OCB.

What It Means for Orlando City

Stajduhar’s injury earlier this year means Orlando City is down to two goalkeepers on its senior roster. While the club could have signed an experienced player as a third goalkeeper, the club’s technical staff is obviously comfortable with Gallese and Otero as the top two this season. The open roster spot provides an opportunity to reward Mercado for his play with OCB.

It’s highly unlikely that Mercado will see the field for the first team or even be included in the first team this season unless there is an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. Instead, he’ll continue to start for the Young Lions. This deal only runs through the end of this year, but he’ll have the opportunity to earn a spot in future squads in training and with his play with the second team.