The offseason is always on – but it’s especially heated up over the past week as the New York City FC sporting department has begun reshaping the roster for the 2018 season.
TRANSACTION TRACKER:All of NYCFC's 2017/18 Winter Moves
It already seems like ages ago, but before it all turned off on MLS 2017 – TFC made their run back to the MLS Cup Final and defeated Seattle Sounders in a rematch of the 2017 Final to earn a domestic treble of trophies. Congratulations to Toronto FC – who have been celebrating in style…
Back to the blue team, NYCFC did well to escape LAFC’s expansion draft unscathed – as the new LA side passed on all of City’s players left unprotected.
Several players have come and gone from NYC in recent days though, Frederic Brillant was traded to D.C. United, Khiry Shelton swapped for Abdul-Salaam from SKC, and Columbus keeper Brad Stuver has joined the fold.
Not to mention the Swedish top-division’s reigning defender of the year – Anton Tinnerholm from Malmo. As Kyle Schnitzer of the the New York Post reports:
“He brings along a checklist of experience, including winning back-to-back titles with Malmo and getting time in the Champions League against top world clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in 2015.”
Is the World Cup waiting for NYCFC’s new defender?...
“Tinnerholm could become the third NYCFC player expected to participate in next summer’s World Cup in Russia. He will participate in Sweden’s national team camp in January.”
This is only the beginning though – as historically the majority of NYCFC’s offseason acquisitions come after the holiday period.
Hudson River Blue and NYCFC Nation think they have the early beat on a few rumors, highlighting young French defender Louis Nganioni and Paraguay's Jesus Medina as two potential next targets.
“After such a purge of personnel, it’s to be expected that a plethora of new faces will soon begin occupying the training ground. And one of those new faces might have been identified.
Katarzyna Przepiórka — a Polish sports journalist based in the U.S. — is reporting that NYCFC is “close” to landing French left back Louis Nganioni.”
Never enough versatile young defenders…
And on the case of Jesus Medina – the Nation says:
“New York City FC have made an offer to 20-year-old Paraguayan international Jesús Medina. Medina himself broke the news on Asunción’s radio 1080am this morning.
Medina said he and his agent have had interest from Danish side FC Copenhagen and MLS, adding that NYCFC was the MLS side who had inquired about him.
Medina plays primarily on the right side of midfield for Club Libertad Asución in Paraguay. The 5’10” midfielder has 7 appearances with the U20 Paraguay national team and made his debut for the senior national team on July 2, 2017.”
Rumors are just rumors though – so be sure to keep it locked at NYCFC.com and be the first to know about any official transactions.
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With plenty of silly season to talk about – you know the Soccer In The City boys went at it. Have a listen to the latest edition of the WFAN backed podcast here.:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/12/14/soccer-in-the-city-new-top-defenders/
And finally – check out the boss kick it with Copa 90 honcho Heath Pearce in Central Park for the latest edition of “Walk Talk Football”…
