New York City FC sign USMNT, MLS veteran Matt Miazga for playoff push

Who wouldn't want to add a centre-back with Premier League and a ton of MLS experience to their backline at this time of year? As they look to beat Toronto FC to one of the final playoff spots, New York City FC have brought in American defender Matt Miazga on a free transfer.

Miazga had his contract bought out by FC Cincinnati last week, and NYCFC pounced quickly to bring the former Chelsea, Anderlecht and Reading man. The 31-year-old, capped 29 times by the U.

national team, winning the 2017 Gold Cup and 2021 Nations League, was signed through the end of the 2026 season on a low-risk, potentially high-reward deal for a NYCFC squad that has been dealing with injury problems all season long, just like TFC. The New Jersey native, who started his career at the Red Bulls before turning down a designated player contract to make the move to Chelsea a decade ago, including working with now-Canada boss Jesse Marsch in MLS, spent the past five seasons in Cincy.

He returned to North America in 2022 after several years of continuous loans away from Stamford Bridge, making just two Premier League appearances for the Blues. In 2023, he was the MLS Defender of the Year as Cincy won the Supporters' Shield.

Now, with eight games left in the regular season, he heads to New York to try and get the 2021 MLS Cup champions back into the playoffs, and potentially challenging in the playoffs. NYCFC are one spot, and one point, back of Cincinnati and the Red Bulls for the two Eastern Conference wild card spots.

"We're excited to welcome Matt to New York City," said sporting director Todd Dunivant in a press release. "Matt brings experience, mentality, and a competitive edge to our backline.

His leadership will be valuable as we enter the final stretch of the season. " "I'm really excited to join New York City FC and get straight to work," said Miazga.

"We have an important stretch ahead of us, and I'm ready to do everything I can to help the team compete for the playoffs and make a strong run through the rest of the season. " Toronto FC might have wished they pounced on Walker Zimmerman's former USMNT teammate, as they will be without Zimmerman for Saturday's crucial trip to Nashville SC - a game where they will also be missing Benjamin Kuscevic, Richie Laryea and Richard Chukwu from their backline.

Zimmerman is suspended while the rest, plus midfielder Markus Cimermancic, are on international duty.