Photo: LA Blues

ORLANDO, Fla.— Orlando City SC announced Monday that Goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski has been signed to the 2014 squad, pending USSF approval. Woszczynski joins the Lions in what the club expects to be the final USL PRO season, with Head Coach Adrian Heath retooling the roster with talented players with an eye toward a 2015 entry into Major League Soccer (MLS).

“We always evaluate everyone we play against in the USL PRO,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I thought Carl was the best goalkeeper we played against last year. We’re delighted we have another goalkeeper on the squad. It will breed competition. We know how important next year is going to be as we build toward MLS.”

Woszczynski was originally drafted in the first round in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Chicago Fire. After spending time with the club in 2012, Woszczynski filled in for the Columbus Crew Reserves before finding his way to the LA Blues of the USL PRO.

In 2013, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) standout started a majority of games in goal for the Blues, recording an impressive six shutouts in 13 games played. Woszczynski allowed only a 1.153 Goals Against Average (GAA) during his time in LA.

While at UAB, Woszczynski started 58 out of 63 games from 2007-2011, playing a total of 5,675 minutes for the Blazers. During his senior season, the Columbus, Ind., native recorded seven shutouts and a 13-5-3 (W-L-D) record.

The Orlando City squad currently stands at eight players, with the following under contract for the 2014 season: GK Miguel Gallardo, Carl Woszczynski, D Luke Boden, Rob Valentino, M Anthony Pulis, Jamie Watson, James O’Connor (player/coach), F Dennis Chin. Woszczynski is the first signing who was not on the 2013 USL PRO Championship team.

Transaction:
Orlando City SC (USL PRO) signs Goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski