NYCFC Decline Contract Options On 11 Players

Manhattan, New York

New York City FC today announced that it had declined contract options on 11 players including regular contributors: RJ Allen, Frederic Brillant and Ethan White. At the moment their tenure with the club has come to an end.

• RJ Allen
• Frederic Brillant
• Miguel Camargo
• Shannon Gomez
• Mikey Lopez
• Eirik Johansen
• Jefferson Mena
• Sean Okoli
• John Stertzer
• Andraz Struna
• Ethan White

NYCFC announced it picked up the options on 5 players:

• Kwame Awuah
• Ronald Matarrita
• Andre Rawls
• Khiry Shelton
• Ben Sweat

NYCFC’s Current Roster:

Attack: Villa, Wallace, Harrison, Shelton, Lewis, McNamara

Midfield: Awuah, Herrera, Moralez, Ring, Sands

Defense: Callens, Chanot, Matarrita, Sweat

Goalkeeper: Johnson, Rawls

It is worth noting that any players who don’t have their options picked up are not necessarily leaving. Due to MLS rules the players out of contract are not free-agents unless specifically mentioned. Players who did not have their options picked up can still negotiate a new contract with the club.

NYCFC will not purchase on-loan Panamanian Miguel Camargo from his club Chorrillo. Camargo has caught the eye of clubs in Scandinavia and is believed to have two offers pending.

Yangel Herrera‘s contract was not bought out, he will remain on-loan with NYCFC as his loan was for two years.

Defense Gutted

The defense that gave up the fifth fewest goals during the MLS regular season is gutted after conceding 4 to Columbus in one playoff match. RJ Allen, Frederic Brillant and Ethan White who had all been key contributors in defense since arriving at NYCFC, totaling 141 appearances between them, were all dismissed by the club.

Shannon Gomez who joined NYCFC on loan in 2016 after impressing during their preseason camp and worked hard enough to have his loan bought by the club in 2017 (he was later loaned to USL side Pittsburg Riverhounds) only to see him depart the club with 0 minutes played. Jefferson Mena‘s status is unclear at the moment as he is still on loan with Barcelona SC.

Slovenian International Andraz Struna who joined NYCFC in their stretch run as a free-agent played 5 regular season matches and impressed in his 2 playoff appearances

NYCFC’s attack was left largely untouched with only 2016 USL MVP Sean Okoli getting the axe.

Given the massive turnover, as it stands NYCFC have no right-backs on the roster. With the cuts NYCFC cleared approximately $980k from their salary cap.