Matt Miazga Nears New York City FC Move After Cincinnati Buyout
Matt Miazga is closing in on a move to New York City FC after FC Cincinnati removed the former United States international from their roster through a contract buyout.
NYCFC move expected after Cincinnati exit
Discussions over Miazga’s arrival at New York City FC are continuing, with an agreement expected to be completed shortly. The 31-year-old centre-back became available after Cincinnati used a buyout on his guaranteed deal, a decision taken to meet MLS roster requirements rather than for footballing reasons.
MLS confirmed that Cincinnati had waived Miazga and applied the buyout mechanism. The move is effective retroactively from September 2, meaning he no longer occupies a Cincinnati roster place or counts against the club’s 2026 salary budget.
Sequence of the move
- FC Cincinnati elected to buy out Miazga’s guaranteed contract in order to satisfy squad compliance rules.
- MLS confirmed that the defender had been waived, with the roster and budget implications backdated to September 2.
- New York City FC opened talks with Miazga over a move.
- The parties are working towards a deal that is expected to be signed soon.
A proven MLS defender becomes available
Miazga joined Cincinnati in 2022 and went on to make 88 regular-season MLS appearances for the club, scoring twice. His strongest individual campaign came in 2023, when he was named MLS Defender of the Year.
He won that award with more than 25% of the vote, becoming the first player to clear that threshold in the history of the honour. His potential arrival would give NYCFC an experienced central defensive option with a significant record in the league.
| Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| FC Cincinnati regular-season appearances | 88 |
| FC Cincinnati regular-season goals | 2 |
| United States appearances | 22 |
| MLS Defender of the Year | 2023 |
International experience adds to his profile
Miazga has played 22 times for the United States men’s national team. He was included in the squads that lifted the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2020 Concacaf Nations League.
- Miazga is expected to join New York City FC once negotiations are finalised.
- Cincinnati’s buyout was driven by roster and salary-budget compliance.
- The 31-year-old leaves after three seasons and 88 MLS regular-season matches.
- He brings a 2023 MLS Defender of the Year award and 22 USMNT caps to the prospective move.
