Next to Kaka and Brek Shea, Josh Ford walked onto the pitch in Philadelphia as a member of Orlando City SC's starting 11. Ford was making his first career MLS start last October, on the last day of the 2015 regular season.
It was a long time coming.
"It was a battle, to be honest," he said. "But that battle made everything it took to get my first MLS start worth it."
Ford's journey to the MLS goal had a few unexpected detours. Five years worth.
After a record-setting collegiate career at Connecticut, Ford was drafted into the MLS. But injuries and bad luck kept him out of an MLS new for almost five whole seasons.
When SAFC plays its first ever game on Sunday in Seattle, Ford will be back where his professional career began.
"I feel everyone has a story," Ford said, "and I'm just thankful that I was able to achieve my goal of playing in the MLS."
A 2010 All-Big East player, Ford set UConn school records for wins (54), shutouts (50) and consecutive stars (85).
The Seattle Sounders selected Ford, a 6-foot-0-keeper, at No. 11 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. It gave him the potential to follow an American soccer legend at goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, who retired at the end of the 2011 season.
Early in 2012 though, Ford suffered a right knee injury that forced him to miss a large portion of the campaign. In 2013, Ford missed most of the year with a broken patella.
Ford did not make his professional debut until May 2014, when he was loaded to the USL's Orange County Blues for a game. Ford's time with the Sounders ended when Orlando selected him in the 2014 MLS re-entry draft, and he spent much of the 2015 season on loan to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
When Orlando City's top two goalkeepers went down with injuries, Ford was up. He played briefly in one game as a substitute, and then made his first start in Philadelphia last October.
His whole family flew in to celebrate the moment and Ford made five saves, allowing one goal on a penalty kick in a 1-0 loss.
"Obviously I would have liked for things to have happened sooner, but I think getting drafted to Seattle was great," he said. "I've learned a lot from battling with these injuries. A lot of work and time has gone into getting back on the pitch."
Now, Ford is in San Antonio. At 28, he is a veteran, the third-oldest player on the roster.
Ford is relishing in a fresh start in Texas, having moved past the injury-plagued seasons. He played college soccer with midfielder Carlos Alvarez and spent much of last season with Shawn Chin in Fort Lauderdale, and the chance to lead was a key factor for Ford.
There's a chance for Ford to play steady minutes for a full season for the first time in his professional career. Not that Ford is going to get ahead of himself.
"Nothing has been given in my career," Ford said. "Everything has to be earned, and I have that same mentality here."
Next to Kaka and Brek Shea, Josh Ford walked onto the pitch in Philadelphia as a member of Orlando City SC’s starting 11. Ford was making his first career MLS start last October, on the last day of the 2015 regular season.
It was a long time coming.
“It was a battle, to be honest,” he said. “But that battle made everything it took to get my first MLS start worth it.”
Ford’s journey to the MLS goal had a few unexpected detours. Five years worth.
After a record-setting collegiate career at Connecticut, Ford was drafted into the MLS. But injuries and bad luck kept him out of an MLS new for almost five whole seasons.
When SAFC plays its first ever game on Sunday in Seattle, Ford will be back where his professional career began.
“I feel everyone has a story,” Ford said, “and I’m just thankful that I was able to achieve my goal of playing in the MLS.”
A 2010 All-Big East player, Ford set UConn school records for wins (54), shutouts (50) and consecutive stars (85).
The Seattle Sounders selected Ford, a 6-foot-0-keeper, at No. 11 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. It gave him the potential to follow an American soccer legend at goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, who retired at the end of the 2011 season.
Early in 2012 though, Ford suffered a right knee injury that forced him to miss a large portion of the campaign. In 2013, Ford missed most of the year with a broken patella.
Ford did not make his professional debut until May 2014, when he was loaded to the USL’s Orange County Blues for a game. Ford’s time with the Sounders ended when Orlando selected him in the 2014 MLS re-entry draft, and he spent much of the 2015 season on loan to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
When Orlando City’s top two goalkeepers went down with injuries, Ford was up. He played briefly in one game as a substitute, and then made his first start in Philadelphia last October.
His whole family flew in to celebrate the moment and Ford made five saves, allowing one goal on a penalty kick in a 1-0 loss.
“Obviously I would have liked for things to have happened sooner, but I think getting drafted to Seattle was great,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from battling with these injuries. A lot of work and time has gone into getting back on the pitch.”
Now, Ford is in San Antonio. At 28, he is a veteran, the third-oldest player on the roster.
Ford is relishing in a fresh start in Texas, having moved past the injury-plagued seasons. He played college soccer with midfielder Carlos Alvarez and spent much of last season with Shawn Chin in Fort Lauderdale, and the chance to lead was a key factor for Ford.
There’s a chance for Ford to play steady minutes for a full season for the first time in his professional career. Not that Ford is going to get ahead of himself.
“Nothing has been given in my career,” Ford said. “Everything has to be earned, and I have that same mentality here.”
