Sports

NYCFC abruptly looking to dump ex-USA star, starting goalie

Don’t expect to see Mix Diskerud and Josh Saunders playing for New York City FC again.

Head coach Patrick Vieira notably left the duo off NYCFC’s preseason roster – and strongly hinted at their inevitable exit.

“Both players want to play,” Vieira said in teleconference Thursday from Jacksonville, where the team started training this week. “That’s something they would not be guaranteed at New York City.”

Diskerud, who was marketed as one of NYCFC’s premier players during its inaugural 2015 season, appeared in just 12 games last year. His mysterious exclusions from game-day matches also cost the Norway-born 26-year-old his spot on the US men’s national team.

The 35-year-old Saunders, despite starting for nearly two seasons, lost his job to Eirik Johansen in last year’s final regular-season game. Johansen, a Norwegian who stands 6-foot-7, went on to start both playoff games against Toronto FC.





Vieira admitted it was “tough” to leave out Saunders, but said it was time to move on.

“We found a new goalkeeper,” Vieira said. “It would be better for Josh to find another team where he can play more often.”

NYCFC acquired veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson from Atlanta United during the offseason. The 27-year-old played 176 games in six seasons for Chicago Fire and is expected to compete with Johansen for the starting job.

As NYCFC’s touched-up roster prepares to travel to Ecuador for its first warmup match, a friendly against C.S. Emelec on Feb. 8, Vieira said his goal is to find a better balance between attack and defense – something NYCFC struggled with last season, conceding an MLS-high 64 goals.

He said he’s encouraged by what he’s seen as he starts his second year in charge.





“From the first day, they’re working really hard,” Vieira said. “This is a really good sign for me.”

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira won’t be taking NYCFC’s third Designated Player slot. When asked about the possibility of the German World Cup winner moving to The Bronx, Vieira quickly squashed the rumor.

“There is nothing I can say because he’s not one of the players that we are targeting,” Vieira said. “I think he’s playing in one of the biggest clubs in the world and he doesn’t have any intentions yet to come to MLS.”

NYCFC gained a Designated Player spot when midfielder Frank Lampard’s contract expired last year.

Khedira has appeared in 17 games for the Italian giants this season.

NYCFC might have a defender on the way. Vieira admitted there is interest in Peruvian central defender Alexander Callens, who reportedly had his contract terminated this week with CD Numancia in Spain’s second tier.





Vieira said NYCFC thinks he’s a good player who might be a fit.

“We are in the process of talking and negotiating with the club,” Vierira said. “But there is nothing more we can say about it because of the respect for the player and the club.”

Callens, 24, has played in 17 games for the CD Numancia this season, with one goal.





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