MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by Christian Araos

New York City FC are in Jacksonville ahead of their third preseason without two starters from their first: midfielder Mix Diskerud and goalkeeper Josh Saunders.

“We were really happy with the recruitment we’ve undertaken so far in the offseason and we’re working to try to find solutions for the players who are not joining us in Jacksonville,” sporting director Claudio Reyna said. “While there are still some additions for us to make, we feel as though we’ve got the foundations of a competitive, exciting, hungry squad.”

Besides Mikey Lopez, who recently had surgery, the rest of NYCFC’s squad along with new signings Sean Johnson, Sean Okoli and Miguel Camargo are in Florida. Joining them on trial are veterans Michael Farfan (former Cosmos/Miami FC/Philadelphia) and (former RSL). Ben Sweat is also on trial after his contract with the Tampa Bay Rowdies expired. 2015 draftee Connor Brandt is with the team but as an unsigned trialist. Haitian U20 international Roberto Louima is also with the club on trial.

“I’m very excited to be returning to the field after the offseason break,” head coach Patrick Vieira said. “As a coaching staff, we’re all feeling ready to begin our preparations for our second season together. It’s a really young, dynamic and exciting group of players to be working with and I’m especially looking forward to welcoming in the new players who I know will bring a lot to this group.”

NYCFC have not signed any of their draft picks. Jonathan Lewis is already signed to the club under Generation Adidas but he will be splitting preseason between City and the US U20s. First round pick Kwame Awuah, second round pick Jalen Brown and third rounders Michael Degraffenreidt and Chris Wingate are unsigned. Academy and US U17 defender James Sands was also invited to participate.

“Everyone will want to show what they can do, so it should be a really fulfilling, hardworking couple of weeks in Florida before we go to Ecuador for the game against Emelec,” Reyna said. “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us in the next 40 days before we travel to Orlando for that first game of the 2017 season.”