NEW YORK – New York City FC currently have six players on their roster. Expect that number to nearly triple by this time next month.
That’s the goal of NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna, who went on MLSsoccer.com's ExtraTime Radio podcast on Thursday and discussed a number of plans for the 2015 MLS expansion franchise.
Reyna hinted that some of the team's players may come from South America, and that head coach Jason Kreis, assistant Miles Joseph and director of scoutinng and recruiting David Lee are currently in South America in a search for players.
“South America has been a big market for MLS teams, not only Jason with RSL, but as a continent, there’s so much talent down there,” Reyna said. “We feel there’s players down there in the various leagues that can help us and can also be very good players in the league.”
Kreis has a history of success with South American players dating back to his days with Real Salt Lake, where he coached Fabian Espindola, Javier Morales, Jamison Olave and Joao Plata, among others.
When it comes to the MLS veterans likely available in the Expansion Draft and the Dispersal Draft, meanwhile, Reyna said looking for a very specific type of player.
“It’s a combination, a balance of good value as well as experience in MLS,” he said. “These players are very critical for our success and building our team next year because players having knowledge of the league is very important.”
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NYCFC also have the second overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft in January, and Reyna said he's excited about the potential coming from the college ranks.
“With that pick we should have a player who will definitely be in our squad,” Reyna said. “We’re filtering that group down over the coming weeks as well as the Combine to make our final decision. There’s talent in the college game.
“I think one advantage of not playing is us being able to get out and watch games and spend a lot of time watching games in the beginning of the season as well as now with the conference tournaments starting.”
Reyna added that NYCFC have also been busy filling out Kreis’ coaching staff, which he hopes will be fully in place by mid-December or Jan. 1 at the latest.
“We feel we’re getting close to filling that out. We’ve had a lot of interest,” Reyna said. “Jason knows many, many coaches throughout the league and a lot of good candidates have reached out to us. We are very much on a short list of coaches we’re speaking to.”
