Matt Miazga Expected to Join NYCFC After FC Cincinnati Exit

Former MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga is set to join New York City FC after being waived by FC Cincinnati.

Former United States defender Matt Miazga is set to join New York City FC, a source confirmed to ESPN. While negotiations between the club and the 31-year-old center back are ongoing, a deal is expected to be finalized shortly following his departure from FC Cincinnati. The Athletic first reported the move.

FC Cincinnati officially waived Miazga earlier this week by utilizing a buyout of his guaranteed contract. According to a Major League Soccer press release, the move is retroactive to Sept. 2, ensuring Miazga no longer occupies a roster spot or counts against Cincinnati's 2026 salary budget. A source noted the transaction was executed strictly for squad compliance purposes.

During his tenure with FC Cincinnati, which began in 2022, Miazga recorded two goals across 88 regular season appearances. He was named the 2023 MLS Defender of the Year, becoming the first player to win the award with more than 25% of the total vote. On the international stage, Miazga has earned 22 caps for the U.S. men's national team and was a member of the rosters that secured the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2020 Concacaf Nations League titles.