3 MLS free agents that NYCFC should inquire about for 2026

2026 will be here before one knows it, and New York City FC has multiple ways to bring in new players. One way is free agency, and the Pigeons will likely try to retain their free agents: Justin Haak, Maxi Moralez, and Andrés Perea. Moralez's future will likely depend on whether he wants to retire, while the other two are up in the air. Ideally, they will return, especially Haak.

Nevertheless, NYCFC should try to sign a free agent or two from elsewhere in Major League Soccer. The player could be brought in to compete for a starting role or for depth. One suggestion already made at Skyscraper Blues was to sign Christian Benteke, but who else should the Bronx side look into?

Here are a few free agents NYCFC should consider signing.

Free agents NYCFC should sign

Josef Martínez

Next to Benteke, another striker free agent that many teams might look into is Josef Martínez. The former Atlanta United FC star might not be the same player he was during his early years with the Five Stripes. He still scored 14 goals this year with the San Jose Earthquakes, which is three more than his 2024 season with CF Montréal.

NYCFC needs a striker since Alonso Martínez will miss most of or all of 2026 due to his ACL rupture. Signing the other Martínez for a year or two will give the Pigeons someone who is already familiar with MLS and proved last year he can still score a decent number of goals. The 32-year-old would also add another veteran to guide the younger players on the team.

Oh, and commentators calling NYCFC matches would still be able to state that Martínez scored.

Eryk Williamson

A great depth piece for NYCFC would be Eryk Williamson. He arguably did not have his best season with Charlotte FC, logging just 664 minutes in the regular season. But after many years with the Portland Timbers, he proved, when healthy, that he is a reliable player. His creativity on the ball could really help the Pigeons off the bench, especially if the Homegrown players are still not ready in 2026.

Of course, his health must be kept in mind. Sadly, he suffered two ACL tears between 2021 and 2023, hindering his development. At one point, Williamson was thought to be the next big midfielder in MLS, but the injuries hurt him. Still, he would be a great depth piece, and maybe time under a different head coach, like Pascal Jansen, would help him find that player he was supposed to be.

Brooks Lennon

Brooks Lennon would probably be someone who is unlikely to sign with NYCFC since Tayvon Gray will probably be the predominant starter for the team. However, it is possible that Mitja Ilenič might try to leave the Queens side since he is not getting the playing time that he desires. Hence, the Boys in Blue need to start looking for another right-back.

The difference is that Lennon would add competition to the position, as Ilenič has done. But since the Slovenian fell out of favor, Gray completely took over the spot. Adding a starting right-back would bring back that intense competition. Plus, if Gray wins out, then NYCFC will have a solid backup. Nevertheless, as great as this would be, Lennon will probably go somewhere he can start.