NYCFC NEWS

Justin Haak - Starts in season opener Haak made four clearances, two interceptions and won two of two tackles in last weekend's 2-0 defeat against Nashville SC. He also created a chance in the match.

Impact Haak played well alongside Keaton Parks in defensive midfield versus Nashville while Alfredo Morales (lower body) was out injured, but he was only brought off the bench against Chicago on Saturday after the arrival of James Sands. The 21-year-old Haak should continue mostly as a reserve option in the position moving forward this season.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

James Sands - Starts in return to NYC Sands made a clearance, an interception and won one of one tackles in Saturday's 1-1 draw against the Fire.

Impact Sands immediately slotted into New York City's starting lineup Saturday upon his return to the club from Rangers FC. He should continue as the preferred option in defensive midfield, with either Keaton Parks or Alfredo Morales (lower body) to be his main partner in the position.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Keaton Parks - Takes two shots against Chicago Parks took two shots (one on target) and created a chance in Saturday's 1-1 draw against the Fire. He also made two clearances, an interception and won two of four tackles in the m...

Impact Parks has started both of NYCFC's first two games of the campaign in defensive midfield, and he was especially effective on both sides of the ball in Saturday's draw. New York City has depth in his position in the forms of James Sands, Alfredo Morales (lower body) and Justin Haak, but Parks will want to stake his claim as the preferred starter.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Thiago Martins Bueno - Makes four clearances in draw Martins made a block, four clearances and an interception in Saturday's 1-1 draw against the Fire.

Impact Martins has continued alongside Maxime Chanot as the starting center-back pairing in New York City to begin 2023, and he's racked up 10 clearances across his first two starts as the team overall has underwhelmed so far.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mitja Ilenic - Takes shot in first start Ilenic took a shot and won one of three tackles in Saturday's 1-1 draw against the Fire. He also made a clearance and two interceptions in the match.

Impact Ilenic made his first start at right-back for NYCFC since joining the club from Slovenia in January, and he held up well against Chicago. He could continue starting games if Tayvon Gray (lower body) remains injured.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Pereira - Scores opener versus Fire Pereira scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), eight crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire.

Impact Pereira had a man-of-the-match performance here, and he paced all players on the pitch in crosses for the evening. He also commanded primary corner duties for his NYCFC side. If Saturday's performance is at all predictive, Pereira could be in for another big fantasy year.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Barraza - Largely untested in draw Barraza recorded no saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire.

Impact Barraza conceded the only Chicago shot on target, a Fabian Herbers goal on the heels of a set piece situation. Next up is Inter Miami next Saturday.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Herbers helps Fire earn 1-1 draw with NYCFC in season opener

Fabian Herbers scored a goal in the 75th minute to help the Chicago Fire earn a 1-1 draw with New York City FC

MARCH 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Your Saturday Kickoff: Will CITYPARK set a new bar for MLS stadiums? | MLSSoccer.com Rodríguez returns to NYCFC as Designated Player Concerns about New York City FC’s chance creation in the post-Maxi Moralez era abated Friday...

MARCH 4, 2023 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Santiago Rodriguez - Active on bench Rodriguez (not injury related) is on the bench for Saturday's clash with Chicago.

Impact Rodriguez's two-year loan spell with NYC FC was made permanent on Friday and is now right back on the bench with his long-term club. The midfielder will be a nailed-on fixture in the starting XI when fully fit and available.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alfredo Morales - Out against Chicago Morales will not be involved in Saturday's clash against the Fire due to a lower body injury, according to New York City's injury report.

Impact Morales was an unused substitute in last weekend's season opener, but he has picked up an injury and will miss out entirely on Saturday. Keaton Parks and Justin Haak started last weekend in defensive midfield, and new signing James Sands will be another likely starter in the position once he's back up to speed with the team.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tayvon Gray - Out with injury Gray (abdomen) will miss Saturday's clash against the Fire, according to New York City's injury report.

Impact Gray picked up an abdominal injury in the season-opening defeat against Nashville last weekend, and he has now been ruled out of Saturday's game as well. Winter signing Mitja Ilenic is likely to replace him at right-back for the match.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Santiago Rodriguez - Returning to New York City Rodriguez has signed a five-year contract as a Designated Player with NYCFC after transferring on a permanent basis from Montevideo City Torque, the club announced Friday.

Impact Rodriguez's return to NYC will be a huge boost to the team after he spent the last two seasons on-loan with the club from Uruguayan side Montevideo City Torque. He recorded a league-high 14 assists in MLS in 2022 (including playoffs), and the 23-year-old should slot straight back into the starting lineup either in attacking midfield or on the right wing, especially now that club legend Maximiliano Moralez has departed from the club.

MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Fire host New York City FC in conference play

The Chicago Fire and New York City FC square off in a conference matchup

MARCH 3, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nashville plays the New York Red Bulls after shutout victory

A game after shutting out New York City FC 2-0, Nashville visits the New York Red Bulls

MARCH 3, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo 'looking forward to' busy MLS schedule

Between MLS and CONCACAF Champions League, LAFC will have a hectic start to its 2023 season, but Steve Cherundolo sees that as "an opportuni...

MARCH 1, 2023

James Sands returns to NYC after loan to Scotland's Rangers Midfielder James Sands returned to New York City FC from Glasgow Rangers and agreed to a five-year contract.

MARCH 1, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

James Sands - Returns from loan, extends contract Sands has signed a five-year contract extension with NYCFC after returning from a year-long loan with Rangers FC, the club announced Wednesday.

Impact Sands scored one goal in 41 appearances across all competitions during his roughly 14-month stint with Rangers, including winning the 2022 Scottish Cup and starting in four Champions League matches. The 22-year-old is now returning to his boyhood in New York City, where he's already won the MLS Cup and racked up 76 appearances in the competition from 2017-21. He should plug into the starting lineup immediately either at defensive midfield or in central defense, and could already be available as soon as this weekend's clash against the Fire.

MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

PHOTOS: Nashville SC vs. New York City FC in 2023 season opener Nashville SC kicked off the 2023 Major League Soccer season with a 2-0 win over New York City FC on Feb. 23 at Geodis Park.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • TENNESSEAN.COM

Talles Magno - Takes two shots against Nashville Magno took two shots and had a tackle in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Nashville SC.

Impact Magno was back as NYCFC's starting striker on Saturday after missing most of the 2022 playoffs due to injury, but it wasn't a happy opening day for his side as they were downed by Nashville.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Pereira - Creates three chances in loss Pereira created three chances and made two clearances in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Nashville SC.

Impact Pereira began the 2023 campaign as New York City's starter on the right wing and he was a passing threat despite his side's loss to Nashville.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matias Pellegrini - Returns to New York City Pellegrini has signed a new two-year contract with NYCFC after being claimed off of waivers in December.

Impact Pellegrini made six appearances off the bench for NYC last season after joining the club from Miami in August. The 22-year-old winger was subsequently released and then re-claimed off waivers in the offseason.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Freese - Backup in season opener Freese was an unused substitute in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Nashville SC.

Impact Freese sat on the bench Saturday as Luis Barraza got the nod in goal for New York City's season-opening loss to Nashville. The two may rotate with each other for a bit as manager Nick Cushing figures out who he prefers as the No. 1 to replace Sean Johnson.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Barraza - Concedes two goals to Nashville Barraza made two saves but conceded two goals in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Nashville SC.

Impact Barraza was beaten by strikes from Walker Zimmerman and Jacob Shaffelburg as his side was downed in the 2023 season opener. Barraza got the first start over Matt Freese in goal, but the two might go back and forth as manager Nick Cushing figures out who he prefers as the No. 1 after the Sean Johnson era in NYC.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE