Happy Birthday, to former LA Galaxy star, Josh Saunders! | OneFootball

While Sunday marks the second match of the regular season for the Los Angeles Galaxy, this date also shares another special moment. Former goalkeeper Josh Saunders turned 44 on March 2nd.

The native of Grants Pass, Oregon is one of many stars to make his mark with the storied franchise. Originally breaking into the league on the roster for the San Jose Earthquakes in 2003, Saunders did not appear on the field for MLS until his days with the LA Galaxy.

Along with teammate Landon Donovan, the Earthquakes won the MLS Cup in 2003. It would end up being the first of three championships in the league Saunders would win.

In 2005, he joined the team when they won their second MLS Cup title ever. Between 2008 and 2010, Saunders appeared in ten games for the LA Galaxy. The keeper played more regularly the next two seasons when the team won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012 against the Houston Dynamo.

Later, Saunders would continue his career in MLS with Real Salt Lake in 2013. This is the same team that ousted his original team during the 2009 MLS Cup Finals.

The next year, Saunders played for the San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League (NASL). In his final two seasons as an MLS player, he finished his professional career with the New York Football Club (NYFC).

In 2015 and 2016, he played in 33 games both of those seasons . Saunders has international experience representing both the United States and Puerto Rico. After appearing in two games for the U-23 team for the US in 2002, Saunders played in one game internationally for Puerto Rico in 2008.

Saunders played in 125 MLS games and started all but three of them. He gave up 181 goals in the league during his professional playing career.

The 6'4'' athlete made 393 saves and tallied better than a 72% career save average. Playing in over 11,000 minutes, Saunders also recorded 32 clean sheets.

The former LA Galaxy goalkeeper is also a father. On Sunday, we also honor a three-time MLS champion. Happy 44th birthday, Josh Saunders!