MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

PURCHASE, N.Y. – With days until his fate for 2016 is assured, Mix Diskerud faces a decision: push for an exit from New York City FC in search of playing time, or stay and fight for whatever minutes head coach Patrick Vieira gives him.

Diskerud trained with the reserves on Monday. He was in the matchday squad for the first time since June 18 but did not play. Vieira had previously said the club would consider any offers for Diskerud but apparently none have arrived to meet the club’s satisfaction.

If the window closes with Diskerud still at NYCFC, Vieira said he would have to fight for his spot in the squad.

“Mix is an international player and he’s a really ambitious player,” Vieira said. “He wants to be a part of the national team for the World Cup and there is a different way for him to get there. He has to evaluate the situation and make a decision for himself.”

Diskerud could join Kwadwo Poku and Patrick Mullins as recent departures who have found playing time elsewhere — or challenge in-form designated players Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo for their spots. Though Lampard is 38 and Pirlo is 37, Vieira said he is not giving any thought towards resting the two.

“We are just going game-after-game,” Vieira said. “If they keep playing like that then I’ll be really pleased and really happy.

“We are not protecting anybody,” he continued. “Every single player wants to play every single game and we just saw that with Andrea. He is feeling really good, he wants to play. What makes it really good for me as a coach is that every single player wants to play.”