Monday, January 13, 2025

NYCFC Re-signs Maxi & Makes Pair Of Signings

 

NYCFC currently plays at Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.


New York City Football Club announced on Monday that it has re-signed its longest-tenured player, Maxi Moralez. 

In recent days, NYCFC also signed defender Prince Amponsah and midfielder Jacob Arroyave.

MAXI: Maxi Moralez became the first player in franchise history to make more than 200 MLS appearances last season. The midfielder made an immediate impact last season after he returned from an ACL injury sustained at the end of 2023. 

In 26 appearances across all competitions last season, Moralez tallied two goals and seven assists, while reaching a personal milestone of 100 career goal contributions. The only other NYCFC player to achieve the feat is David Villa, who had 103. 

“We are thrilled to have Maxi back with New York City FC for the upcoming season,” NYCFC Sporting Director David Lee said in a statement. “Maxi showed incredible resilience to return from injury and demonstrated his quality with some outstanding performances last year. His leadership and creativity on the field helped us return to the playoffs and rallied those around him. Maxi’s impact extends beyond what everyone sees during matches, he plays a vital role in the locker room and mentoring our young players. As we continue to build, having a player of Maxi’s caliber and experience is pivotal and we’re excited to see his contributions this season.” 

Moralez made his 2024 season debut when he came off the bench in the 74th minute against the San Jose Earthquakes at Yankee Stadium on May 31, 2024, in a 5-1 NYCFC win. That night, Moralez provided his first assist of the 2024 regular season, also marking his 70th assist for New York City. 

“I’m very excited to continue my career with New York City FC for another season,” said Midfielder Maxi Moralez. “This club has become a second home to me. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust and support I’ve received from everyone here, from the coaching staff to my teammates and, of course, our amazing fans. Coming back from injury last season was a challenging but rewarding experience. Being able to contribute to the team’s success again meant so much to me. I’m looking forward to next season and am determined to help the club achieve even more in 2025.” 

The 37-year-old notched his first goal of the season in the Hudson River Derby on September 28 when he scored in the fifth minute, sparking a 5-1 NYCFC victory. Moralez also earned an assist on their fifth goal of the night, when he set up defender Tayvon Gray for his first career goal. Moralez was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice last season.  

During NYCFC's 2021 MLS Cup run, Moralez played all four games, contributing a goal and three assists. Moralez assisted New York City FC’s lone goal in the final and converted a crucial penalty during the shootout in Portland, helping New York claim its first title in franchise history. The following season, the Argentine scored a title clinching goal in the 2022 Campeones Cup at Yankee Stadium. 

PRINCE AMPONSAH: NYCFC announced on Friday that it has signed defender Prince Amponsah to a first team contract as a Homegrown for the 2025 season, with options through 2028.  

Amponsah is the 16th Homegrown signing in club history, and he makes his return to the club following a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest. 

During his time with Wake, Amponsah served as team captain and earned 2024 ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player and United Soccer Coaches Second-Team All-South Region honors. He started all 23 matches in 2024, logging more than 2,000 minutes and contributing three assists. Amponsah played every minute of Wake Forest’s three NCAA Tournament matches and almost the entirety of its four ACC Tournament games. He finished his collegiate career ranked seventh in program history in both appearances (92) and starts (84).  

Prior to his time at Wake Forest, Amponsah spent four seasons in NYCFC’s academy, as he made 86 appearances, including 79 starts. He was one of 10 academy players that were invited to participate in the first team’s preseason in 2020.   

"Prince has been a part of the New York City FC family for many years and we are happy to welcome him back as a Homegrown signing,” NYCFC Sporting Director Dave Lee said in a statement. “He has continued his development since he left our Academy and has had an outstanding collegiate career at Wake Forest where he’s been one of the top defenders in the NCAA. Having spent his early years in the academy, Prince knows the organization and our style of play well which will help his transition into professional football. We’re excited to see him take the next step in his career with the first team and look forward to his contributions on the field this season and beyond.” 

Defender Prince Amponsah said in a statement, "I’m absolutely thrilled to sign with New York City FC, it’s a surreal moment for me. This is something I’ve been working toward my entire life, and to achieve it with my boyhood club makes it even more special. Growing up in the shadows of Yankee Stadium, I’ve always dreamed of representing not just myself and my family, but my city. Wearing these colors and this badge means everything to me. I can’t wait to play in front of New York City’s incredible fans and work toward lifting a trophy together. The journey here has been challenging, but it’s the grind every single day that makes this moment so rewarding. This is just the beginning, and I’m ready to keep pushing forward." 

JACOB ARROYAVE: NYCFC also announced on Friday that it has signed midfielder Jacob Arroyave to a first team contract as a Homegrown through 2027, with an option for 2028.  

The 17-year-old becomes the 14th Homegrown signing in club history, continuing his progression through the club’s development pathway. Arroyave made an impact during the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season when he appeared in 12 matches, which included nine starts, and scored two goals. The midfielder started in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round match against FC Motown, providing an assist in the win.  

"We’re delighted that Jacob will officially join our first team roster in 2025,” said NYCFC Sporting Director David Lee in a statement. “Since he joined our organization, he has developed rapidly and impressed during the 2024 preseason and contributed to New York City FC II both in MLS NEXT Pro and their incredible run in the U.S. Open Cup. The role that New York City FC II plays in the Pro Player Pathway is critical. It helps bridge the gap in development from Academy to first team and Jacob has benefited from the fantastic work happening throughout our development program. 

“I would also like to acknowledge the staff at Cedar Stars Academy Bergen for their work in developing Jacob from a young age before he joined New York City FC. Jacob is a further example of the incredible soccer talent that exists around New York. We look forward to continuing to develop him to unlock and maximize his potential.” 

Arroyave is a Passaic, New Jersey, native who joined the club’s MLS NEXT Pro team in 2023 after a successful youth career with Cedar Stars Bergen. The midfielder earned an invite to preseason with NYCFC’s first team ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign. 

Arroyave said in a statemet, “It’s an amazing feeling to sign my first professional contract with New York City. I’ve learned so much from my time in the academy and with New York City FC II, I believe the club built a very good environment that I could grow in, and it translates into training with the first team. I’m grateful to my coaches, teammates, and family for supporting and helping guide me through my development. I can’t wait to get back on the field and represent the club at the highest level.”   

Currently, Arroyave is recovering from an ACL injury he sustained last season, and the expectation is he will return to action in the coming months.  


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