To fill the gaps in the squad, NYC have a few options that they can use. For a start, their new Head Coach Vieira was previously the Head Coach of the Manchester City Elite Development Squad (EDS), where he won the Premier League International Cup. Vieira is likely to be familiar with all of the players that could be loaned to NYC.

I’d doubt that NYC would loan a young striker, considering the roster already has Patrick Mullins, Tony Taylor and Khiry Shelton. I also doubt that they’d take a goalkeeper from NYC, as they would see very few minutes with Josh Saunders (that is, newly contracted Josh Saunders) #1 in the pecking order.

They are more likely to loan a defender or two. I would have liked Shay Facey to return, but he’s since moved to Rotherham in the Championship in England. 21 year old Ellis Plummer could move instead in order to gain experience. With the signing of Ethan White they may choose not to bolster the centre back position - and focus on the vacant left back position instead. Personally I hope Angelino returns again - and from the quote below from a Hudson River Blue interview with Vieira - so does the new Head Coach.

Vieira on Angelino

The advantage of NYC’s relationship with Manchester City is that City will likely cover most of the player’s contract - meaning that the cap hit would be just $60,000 per player. Let’s say that Manchester City loan NYC Angelino, Plummer and a midfielder - let’s take exciting Kosovan Bersant Celina.

From left to right - Celina, Plummer and Facey (at the time of posting originally, he was still available!)

The inclusion of these three (or whatever three NYC chooses to take from Manchester City) will only cost $180,000 and considering all are on $60,000 each, there will be no hit against the salary cap. After that, they still have $654,000 left to spend, and 5 roster spots to fill.

So that’s added a bit of youth to the ranks - but what about experience?