NEW YORK – If it was not made clear enough during the 2016 season, Mix Diskerud’s future lies somewhere other than at Yankee Stadium.
Diskerud found himself in New York City FC purgatory this past season, as he went from regular contributor to out-of-favor reserve. The 26-year-old midfielder and US national team pool player was dropped completely from the 18-man roster back in early June, and seen only once thereafter in an October friendly vs. Liga MX side Necaxa during that month’s international break.
“He is looking for playing time,” NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira said on Tuesday morning. “We are having a discussion with him and try to find the best way to satisfy Mix and ourself.”
While NYCFC will be busy trying to unload Diskerud this winter, the club will also be looking to bring in reinforcements. One of them could potentially be a Designated Player, as the departure of veteran midfielder Frank Lampard freed up a spot for New York City FC to use.
Vieira did not specifically identify any target on Tuesday, but said that NYCFC are assessing all their possibilities.
“What we really want is to find the right player who will make us improve as a team and then the right player has to be the right one, the good people,” said Vieira. “I think David [Villa] is a perfect example. We want to bring players who can fill with what we are trying to do at this football club.
“If we find a young DP, it will be good. If he’s not a young DP, it will be good as well. We just have to look at the options and take the best options that we have.”
Regardless of who is brought in, NYCFC are looking to improve upon their solid sophomore campaign. The club finished in second place in the Eastern Conference during the regular season and made it to the Conference Semifinal stage of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, but they want more.
“We have to bring in some new players and that’s something that will be really important for us, because we have to do better,” said Vieira. “We have to bring players who can match our targets and we have different options on the table. You are not going to believe how many players would love to come to play for New York City FC, and we will have some difficult decisions to make.”
