In the last 48 hours, New York City FC has lost the final two pieces to its original franchise.
Wednesday, the club announced that David Villa would not be returning to the Bronx in 2019.
Thursday, New York native Tommy McNamara was among the seven players who had their contract options declined. Also declined were Maxime Chanot, Rodney Wallace, Ebenezer Ofori, Eloi Amagat, Kwame Awuah and Andre Rawls, the club announced in a statement released Thursday morning.
Four players had their options exercised for 2019: Daniel Bedoya, Jeff Caldwell, Sebastien Ibeagha and Brad Stuver. Meanwhile, Yangel Herrera and Saad Abdul-Salaam will be out of contract on Dec. 31. NYCFC has given a “bona fide offer” to Abdul-Salaam, which gives the club right of first refusal.
NYCFC also “activated Valentin Castellanos’ option to purchase from Club Atletico Torque, meaning the Argentine forward joins NYCFC on a permanent basis,” according to the statement.
“While we continue to have discussions with a number of these players ahead of the 2019 season, we would like to sincerely thank all the players for their contributions to the Club, especially Tommy McNamara who has been here since the very beginning,” NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna said in the statement. “Saying goodbye is always difficult but we wish each of them the very best in their careers.”
Following his selection in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft, McNamara became a cult figure among supporters for his long locks and penchant to score spectacular goals.
McNamara averaged 25 appearances in his first three seasons (2015-17), contributing 14 goals and 14 assists along the way, including a five-goal, nine-assist, 30-game 2016 season under former head coach Patrick Vieira.
With Vieira and then Dome Torrent at the helm in 2018, McNamara’s numbers dipped dramatically – zero goals and zero assists in 10 appearances, four of them starts.
Having an option declined does not necessarily mean a player will not return the following year. Occasionally, a club will decline a player’s option to renegotiate a new deal. Chanot is one of the players NYCFC and Reyna are likely negotiating with.
Contract options declined: Tommy McNamara, Maxime Chanot, Rodney Wallace, Ebenezer Ofori, Eloi Amagat, Kwame Awuah and Andre Rawls
Contract options exercised: Daniel Bedoya, Jeff Caldwell, Sebastien Ibeagha and Brad Stuver
Out of contract: Yangel Herrera, Saad Abdul-Salaam, David Villa
The following players are under contract for the 2019 season:
Goalkeeper (3): Sean Johnson, Brad Stuver, Jeff Caldwell
Defender (7): Anton Tinnerholm, Joe Scally, Sebastien Ibeagha, Cedric Hountondji, Alex Callens, Ronald Matarrita, Ben Sweat
Midfielders (5): Alex Ring, James Sands, Maxi Moralez, Daniel Bedoya, Jesus Medina
Forwards (4): Jo Inge Berget, Valentin Castellanos, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Jonathan Lewis