The 2024 Major League Soccer season is fast approaching, and all 29 teams are scrambling to prepare for this year’s competition. The MLS has never been more exciting, with a litany of young stars. Fans are thrilled to see Lionel Messi playing for the Inter Miami club, with matches selling out quickly to see arguably the greatest player of all time. For New York FC, though, the 2024 season has many question marks, specifically surrounding the roster. 2023 unexpectedly turned into a rebuild, and while the roster is more set this year, many young players will be getting more minutes on the pitch. Let’s take a look at what New York FC looked like last season, as well as evaluate the roster for 2024.
How New York FC Looked in 2023
Fans knew that New York City FC would lose some players in 2023. However, it was impossible to predict the team’s fall, especially after the success of 2021 and 2022. The club won the MLS Cup in 2021 before finishing 2022 3rd in the conference, reaching the Conference Finals, and winning the Campeones Cup. BetMGM Sportsbook had New York as one of the favorites in the conference before the 2023 squad fell to 11th in the conference and were just a point out of last place in the East with a 9–11–14. So what happened?
In short, the roster turned over dramatically. NYCFC club legend Maxi Moralez left, returning home to Racing Club in Argentina. He was an irreplaceable player on the 2021 title team. They also lost Sean Johnson, New York City FC’s all-time leader in appearances, and Alex Callens, one of the top defenders in the league.
Along with those three, NYCFC saw Anton Tinnerholm depart to Malmo FF of Sweden and Nicolas Acevedo get sent out on loan. The roster turnover was too much to handle, even with a club with a seemingly flawless program.
The result was a team without identity and a team that was unable to replace the players it lost, something New York has been known for since 2016. The roster was incomplete and without adequate talent to compete.
Key Additions and Subtractions for 2024
One positive entering the season is that the roster is more stable, giving head coach Nick Cushing a base to work with. While they did lose Braian Cufre, Richard Ledezma, and Alfredo Morales, they acquired Jovan Mijatovic for a massive $8.6 million fee. The 18-year-old striker is an exciting prospect that should bring vitality to New York. Along with Mijatovic, New York added Andres Perea, Agustin Ojeda, and Hannes Wolf to bolster and stabilize the roster.
Another key addition in 2024: A new stadium deal. After years of balking, New York City FC finally unveiled its plans for a 25,000-seat venue in Queens’ Willets Point neighborhood. The privately financed project comes in with a price tag of $780 million and should give fans something to be excited about, along with the young roster.
It is just one aspect of the Willets Point Revitalization Plan that will bring New York City not only its first-ever full-time soccer stadium but also its most significant 100% affordable housing development in over four decades.
What Can We Expect in 2024?
While there is reason to be optimistic for this season, the roster is still a significant question mark. New York City FC was the youngest team in the league last season, with an average age of 23 years old. This year looks to be much of the same, and Cushing has sometimes had a better reputation for nurturing young players. Predictions on NYCFC get as high as a 7th-place finish in the conference, but at least one contributor predicted a 13th-place finish. For those counting at home, that is last in the East.
However, what the club does have going for them is a tried and tested program. For nearly a decade, this system has worked when it has the roster and the necessary infrastructure. The question is whether Cushing will mesh well with the young players and if there is enough talent to make a surprising push in the Eastern Conference.
What Is Next for the Club?
New York City FC opened their season on February 24, and their home opener is on March 9th at Yankee Stadium. The season certainly didn’t get off to the start fans wanted, as the squad fell 1–0 to Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium. The Boys in Blue found themselves down early, giving up the match’s only goal in the 8th minute. While New York had opportunities to equalize, they could not put a shot into the net. They had a free kick at the edge of Charlotte’s penalty box but couldn’t convert. But luckily for them, they’ll get the chance to redeem themselves at their home opener.
