NYCFC announce roster decisions following 2022 MLS season
By Chris Smith
New York City FC have announced their roster decisions following the 2022 MLS season.
Despite losing head coach Ronny Deila and Golden Boot-winning forward Taty Castellanos midway through the campaign, NYCFC enjoyed success once again with a run to the Eastern Conference Final and a Campeones Cup title.
In preparation for 2023, the Cityzens have exercised contract options on Maxi Moralez, Kevin O’Toole, Nicolas Benalcazar, and Jonathan Jimenez.
However, Vuk Latinovich, Matias Pellegrini, and Gedion Zelalem have all seen their options declined and will now depart the club.
Justin Haak, Alex Callens, and Sean Johnson are all out of contract and available for free agency, although the latter two will be among the most coveted during the MLS offseason, so there's every chance NYCFC will attempt to renegotiate terms.
The loan period of Santiago Rodríguez from Montevideo City expires on December 31, with no indication from the club that they intend to either extend it or sign him on a permanent basis.
NYCFC have agreed new contracts with Cody Mizell through 2024 and Samuel Owusu through 2023 with options for 2024 and 2025.
“We are proud of what the team was able to accomplish last season. Winning Campeones Cup, making it back to the Conference Final, and a run to the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions League is no easy feat and every player in the squad has contributed to our success," NYCFC sporting director David Lee said in a statement.
"Keeping a squad together in MLS is incredibly challenging, particularly when you have successful seasons as we have done, but we remain in discussions with all players who are out of contract about returning in 2023.
“I would like to thank all the players who are departing for playing a crucial role in our success last season and helping build a winning culture at this organization. We would like to thank everyone for their professionalism and contributions, and we wish them the best in the future.”
Right now, the NYCFC roster for the 2023 season is as follows:
Goalkeepers (2): Luis Barraza, Cody Mizell
Defenders (9): Malte Amundsen, Nicolas Benalcazar, Maxime Chanot, Chris Gloster, Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Christian McFarlane, Kevin O’Toole, Samuel Owusu
Midfielders (6): Nicolas Acevedo, Maximo Carrizo, Alfredo Morales, Maxi Moralez, Keaton Parks, James Sands*
Forwards (8): Thiago Andrade, Valentin Castellanos*, Héber, Andres Jasson, Jonathan Jimenez, Talles Magno, Alexandru Mitrita*, Gabriel Pereira
*Valentin Castellanos (Girona FC, Spain), Alexandru Mitrita (Al Raed FC, Saudi Arabia) and James Sands (Rangers FC, Scotland) are all on loan through June 30, 2023.
NYCFC's roster decisions come amid reports that the club has finally agreed to move to a new 25,000-capacity stadium in Queens in 2027.
Watch the story of Charlotte FC's journey to MLS in 90min's The Making of Charlotte FC, presented by DoorDash, on 90min channels now. Subscribe to our new US YouTube channel.
