Rodney Wallace will have to look for a new team in 2019. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
NEW YORK — Not surprisingly, New York City FC has begun to clean house as head coach Domenec Torrent has started remaking the team in his image.
The Major League Soccer club Thursday announced it declined the contract options for seven players for the 2019 season.
That included midfielders Eloi Amagat, Kwame Awuah and Ebenezer Ofori, Luxembourg international center back Maxime Chanot, midfielder-forward Tommy McNamara, goalkeeper Andre Rawls and Costa Rican international midfielder-forward Rodney Wallace.
Midfielder Yangel Herrera and defender Saad Abdul-Salaam will be out of contract Dec. 31, 2018. The Club has extended a bona fide offer to Abdul-Salaam, which allows the club to retain his right of first refusal.
Four players have had their options exercised for next year: Daniel Bedoya, Jeff Caldwell, Sebastien Ibeagha and Brad Stuver.
The club also activated Valentin Castellanos’ option to purchase from Club Atletico Torque, meaning the Argentine forward will join NYCFC on a permanent basis.
Torrent took over the coaching chores in June after Patrick Vieira left for Nice in France.
“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,” sporting director Claudio Reyna said. “Saying goodbye is always difficult but we wish each of them the very best in their careers.”
The following players are under contract for next 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
