Ahead of their inaugural season in Major League Soccer, New York City FC are sure making some pretty impressive moves to build their squad.
Following a very successful MLS Expansion Draft for Jason Kreis’ side on Wednesday, NYC FC have been doing some more wheeling and dealing.
[ RELATED: NYC FC playoff contenders? ]
New York picked up Sal Zizzo from Sporting KC in the expansion draft but have sent him to the crosstown rivals New York Red Bulls in exchange for goalkeeper Ryan Meara.
The deal for Meara, 24, is initially a loan move, as the ‘keeper from Yonkers, NY looks to kick-start his career following a long spell on the sidelines through a troublesome hip injury he suffered in his Rookie year. He has also been stuck behind Luis Robles at the Red Bulls, so this is a valuable opportunity for him to play and NYC FC are getting a player many deemed as Rookie of the Year in 2012 had he not been injured.
In a release from NYC FC, Kreis was delighted to add Meara to challenge Josh Saunders for the starting spot in goal.
“We are delighted to add a goalkeeper of Ryan’s quality to our squad,” Kreis said. We elected not to take a goalkeeper in the expansion draft, so we’re very happy to add one in this form with Ryan. He’s big, agile, strong, and very good with the ball at his feet. We’re excited to keep him close to his hometown and add another New York personality to our roster for the inaugural season.”
With Designated Players Frank Lampard and David Villa already on board and Kreis adding league veterans like Chris Wingert and Ned Grabavoy from his former side Real Salt Lake during the expansion draft, NYC FC’s squad is starting to take shape.
As PST’s Nick Mendola said on Wednesday, before New York City FC has even kicked a ball they look like being a real contender for at least a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.
