New York City FC announced the club's end-of-season roster decisions earlier tonight. You can find the club's official statement here.
Contract options for 2026 were picked up for Nico Cavallo, Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Max Murray, Kevin O’Toole, Tomás Romero, and Strahinja Tanasijević.
The options for Prince Amponsah and Alex Rando were declined. Both Amponsah and Rando were signed to Homegrown Player contracts, and played extensively with NYCFC II, but never appeared in a competitive game for the First Team. They are just the second and third homegrown players to depart the organization without seeing First Team minutes. JJ Jiménez, who was signed in 2022 and left at the end of the 2024 season, was the first.
Andrés Perea's option wasn't exercised, but the club clarified that they remain "in negotiations around his future." Perea became a regular starter during the 2025 season, but he fractured his leg during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, and it's unclear when he will be fit. Presumably, the club and Perea are looking to come to an agreement that will keep him at New York City so that he can play after he recovers from his injury.
In addition, Justin Haak and Maxi Moralez are out of contract at the end of the year, but New York City are in negotiations with both players.
Haak also became a regular this year, and was the only player to start in all 43 competitive matches the team played. He is rumored to be drawing interest from clubs in Major League Soccer and in Europe, and it's unclear if he will remain at New York City.
John Baney
Here is the official statement from New York City:
Monday, Dec 1, 2025 at 06:15 PM
Today, New York City FC announced its roster options ahead of the 2026 season.
Seven players have had their options exercised for 2026: Nico Cavallo, Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Max Murray, Kevin O’Toole, Tomás Romero and Strahinja Tanasijević.
The Club declined the options of two players: Prince Amponsah and Alex Rando.
Andrés Perea also had his option declined, but the Club remains in negotiations around his future.
Justin Haak and Maxi Moralez are out of contract at the end of 2025, but the Club remains in discussions about their futures.
The following players are under contract for the 2026 season:
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Greg Ranjitsingh, Tomás Romero
Defenders (9): Drew Baiera, Nico Cavallo, Raul Gustavo, Tayvon Gray, Mitja Ilenič, Thiago Martins, Max Murray, Strahinja Tanasijević, Kevin O’Toole
Midfielders (9): Jacob Arroyave, Máximo Carrizo, Nicolás Fernández Mercau, Peter Molinari, Aiden O’Neill, Keaton Parks, James Sands, Jonny Shore, Hannes Wolf
Forwards (8): Julián Fernández, Malachi Jones, Talles Magno, Alonso Martínez, Jovan Mijatović, Agustín Ojeda, Seymour Reid, Zidane Yañez
