While the Red Bulls practically gutted their midfield this offseason, New York City FC continue to bolster theirs.
NYCFC announced Wednesday they have signed attacking midfielder Maximiliano Moralez from Club Leon to a three-year deal as their third Designated Player.
Moralez, who turns 30 later this month, looks to provide NYCFC their first true playmaker (often referred to as a number-ten role) behind David Villa, something the team hasn’t had in their first two seasons in MLS. He’s played for clubs in Argentina, Russia and Italy as well as Mexico with Leon.
Moralez said the opportunity to play in MLS this season, which begins March 5, is something he couldn’t pass up.
“I know that the league is growing a lot,” Moralez said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to playing with players like David Villa and Andrea Pirlo who are two world-class champions.”
Before his move to Mexico, Moralez was considered one of the more skilled players in Italy’s Serie A while playing for Atalanta. He spent four years there, appearing in 109 games, scoring 16 goals with 17 assists.
But since his big-dollar move to Mexico in 2015, the Argentine has struggled to find playing time. He appeared in just eight of Leon’s 17 games this season with a lone goal to his ledger.
NYCFC must think Moralez will find his old form if they awarded him a coveted Designated Player slot, which opened up when oft-absent midfielder Frank Lampard departed after last season. Head coach Patrick Vieira believes Moralez’s experiences at the highest level will translate well to MLS.
“Maxi is dynamic,” Vieira said. “He’s direct and he’s very good in one-v.-one situations. He can create chances and can score goals. He’s a really creative player who can make an assist. He can create something from nothing, and I believe that our fans will love him.”
Moralez becomes the fourth midfielder NYCFC has brought in this season, and the move is telling. It gives NYCFC short-term support for Villa up front, and also shows they are preparing for life after Villa, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The reigning MVP, 35, recently told The Post he remains in negotiations for a possible extension.
The Red Bulls traded midfielder Dax McCarty, their captain, to Chicago Fire and essentially replaced him with unproven homegrown players — while leaving a Designated Player spot open.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
