New York City FC adds to its goalkeeper depth with the signing of Mac Learned, a 23-year-old who made 14 appearances in MLS Next Pro last season with New York City FC II. He joins NYCFC on a contract guaranteed through the 2026 season, then with options to extend through June 2027 and the 2027–28 and 2028–29 seasons.
Learned, a 6-foot-4 keeper originally from Lincoln, California, got a brief taste of life with the MLS squad last season when he signed a Short-Term Agreement and made the roster for the club's ill-fated US Open Cup match on the road against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
The young goalkeeper now bumps up to the NYCFC First Team for 2026 and seems to take the roster spot previously held by Homegrown signing Alex Rando, who left the club at the end of 2025 when his contract option for 2026 was declined by the team.
The signing is the first made by NYCFC since the reign of new Sporting Director Todd Dunivant officially began on January 1, 2026, with this Learned contract announcement the first time we've seen Dunivant quoted in a release from the club discussing a roster move.
"Mac signing a contract with the First Team speaks volumes about New York City’s player pathway through MLS Next Pro and our commitment to developing players at all stages of their careers," said Dunivant. "Under the direction of Assistant Coach Rob Vartughian, the Club has fostered a healthy and competitive environment for our goalkeepers. We're excited for Mac to join Matt Freese, Tomás Romero, and Greg Ranjitsingh as we continue to strengthen the goalkeeper position."
Dunivant is officially on the board as Sporting Director, though this is more "internal promotion" than Dunivant flexing his recruiting muscles.
Learned first joined NYCFC for preseason before the 2026 season, arriving out of Sacramento State University. He kept a clean sheet in his first professional appearance for NYCFC II, a 2-0 home win over Columbus Crew 2 on March 24, though by season's end, his record as a starter with the Baby Blues stood at 5W-2D-7L with his two draws turning into penalty-shootout defeats. You can read the full release from the team announcing that he's joined the NYCFC squad below.
NEW YORK – January 9, 2026 – New York City FC today announced that it has signed Goalkeeper Mac Learned to a First Team contract for the 2026 season, with options for June 2027 and the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 seasons.
Learned becomes the sixth player to sign a First Team contract from MLS NEXT Pro affiliate New York City FC II, as well as the 227th player league-wide to sign a First Team contract from MLS NEXT Pro. The Goalkeeper made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in March 2025, making two saves in a clean sheet victory over Columbus Crew 2.
After taking part in preseason with the First Team last January, Learned signed with New York City FC II ahead of the 2025 season. That year, the Goalkeeper started 14 matches for the Pigeons, accumulating 1,260 minutes, recording one clean sheet, and registering a 65% save percentage.
“Mac signing a contract with the First Team speaks volumes about New York City’s player pathway through MLS NEXT Pro and our commitment to developing players at all stages of their careers,” said Sporting Director Todd Dunivant. “Under the direction of Assistant Coach Rob Vartughian, the Club has fostered a healthy and competitive environment for our goalkeepers. We’re excited for Mac to join Matt Freese, Tomás Romero, and Greg Ranjitsingh as we continue to strengthen the goalkeeper position.”
Prior to joining New York City FC II, Learned competed for the Men’s Soccer team at Sacramento State University. As a Hornet, the California native started 44 of 47 appearances, logging 3,869 minutes over four seasons and concluding his collegiate career with a 73.4% save percentage.
"It means the world to me to sign a First Team contract with New York City FC,” said Goalkeeper Mac Learned. “For me, it was about grinding and proving myself in a professional environment. Competing in MLS NEXT Pro with New York City FC II helped prepare me for this opportunity, and I’m incredibly grateful for the role everyone played in helping me reach this point in my career. I look forward to continuing to learn and develop as a player and helping the Club achieve its goals."
