New York City FC remained undefeated in the embryonic stages of their inaugural season in Major League Soccer after a scoreless draw at Colorado on Saturday. The Rapids were kept out of the net in large part thanks to goalkeeper Josh Saunders.
The veteran made his presence felt, registering a season-high seven saves for his second shutout with New York City FC and 22nd in his MLS career.
Saunders was tested early as Gabriel Torres drove an attempt to the near post in the eighth minute, but the goalie was quick to react. In the 52nd minute, Saunders was at his best, tipping Marc Burch's thunderous free kick over the bar to preserve the clean sheet. He again thwarted Colorado in the 63rd, spreading himself and parrying Torres' 10-yard effort over the net.
Here is the story of his day in words, video, pictures, quotes and numbers.
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By the numbers
- Saunders set a season-high with seven saves
- He registered his second-consecutive shutout
- Saunders now has 22 shutouts in his MLS career
Saunders said
"I commend the efforts of the guys. I thought we played well defensively at times; they made some good plays. I thought we banded together as a group and we worked really hard. We'll take that point."
In the coach's words
"Josh has been huge. This is three games in a row he's been huge. You need players to step up and have big performances if you want to get results. He was a big factor in this one today, no doubt."
Spreading the news
Stefan Bondy of the Daily News: "While Saunders was indeed playing like a wall, a series of poor touches and misfires around the net sabotaged the Rapids. In the 63rd minute, Colorado striker Gabriel Torres flubbed a one-on-one breakaway, slamming a shot straight into Saunders’ vicinity.
"When NYCFC defender Shay Facey – making the first start of his MLS career – was ejected in the 82nd minute following a second yellow card, Colorado (0-0-2) pushed the issue and came up empty. The home team couldn't get past Saunders.
