5 players NYCFC should keep an eye on as the secondary transfer window begins

The soccer community is buzzing this summer as the 2026 World Cup competition has the backdrop of American cities to call home, as 48 nations have been battling it out for bragging rights in soccer and immortality. As spectators are busy with World Cup fever, with the quarterfinals currently going on, the secondary transfer window for the 2026 Major League Soccer season is approaching rapidly.

For eighth-place New York City FC, this window will give them the chance to strategically refuel their roster as they push for a strong finish to the season and a hopeful MLS playoff spot.

On Tuesday, June 29, NYCFC announced the signing of Ivorian forward Bénie Traoré, who is under contract until 2030. This comes as a big weight off the shoulders of the team ownership and Head Coach Pascal Jansen. One of the holes in the playing style of NYCFC has been finding a true striker with the precision and finishing ability needed to stabilize the offensive side of the ball. It is still unknown how long Alonso Martínez will be out, and the future of the face of the club, Maxi Moralez, is unknown after his ACL tear.

Now that NYCFC will get much-needed help from Traoré, who can play as a striker, one area of their strategy that has become increasingly notable as an urgent area to fix is the backline, specifically at the center-back position. But there are other spots that could use help as well. The team could seek budget-friendly players and Designated Players, so here are five options the Pigeons could consider.

Possible player options for NYCFC

Javain Brown, right-back/ center-back, Lexington SC

Javain Brown, a 27-year-old right-back currently playing in the USL Championship for Lexington SC, may not have statistics that jump out in the most amazing way, but he is still a solid defensive option. Moreover, he also plays as a center-back, which adds to his versatility.

According to his FotMob player profile, his skills in distribution and passing are the most notable, with an 83.6% completion rate within 12 games of the current season.

Brown also excels at sending long balls forward and being able to locate the target man during the offensive buildup for his team. From evaluating his statistics, the defender is not afraid of the physicality of the sport. He has won 60.4% of opposition duels while winning 61.5% of his aerial battles. A player like Brown, who can provide stability and depth at a few positions for NYCFC, would be a great option.

Yes, he does have areas of his game to improve on, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Brown’s team, Lexington SC, currently plays in the USL Championship. Maybe a return to MLS, for he has experience with other teams, would give Brown incentive to perform at his highest potential and maybe become a vital part of NYCFC’s future defensive line. The only issue is that he just joined Lexington this season, so it might be difficult to bring him to the Big Apple. But his contract is only for one year, so perhaps a small fee would be enough.

Fernando Álvarez, center-back, Deportivo Cali

Another defender the Pigeons can look at is Fernando Álvarez, who is only 22 years old and a center-back. The statistics do not tell the full story. For the past three years, he played for CF Montréal before signing with Club Profesional Deportivo Cali S.A., or Deportivo Cali, in 2026.

Defensively, he possesses core areas that are essential to any defender, having 92 defensive contributions and 12 tackles within 14 regular-season matches this season, according to FotMob. When Álvarez has the ball, however, his aerial success rate comes in at 77.8%, which is a very solid number. Aerial battles are definitely an area of the game that NYCFC could use support in.

It would be interesting to see how a player like Álvarez would fit in a system developed by Jansen. Maybe his youth on the defensive end would allow a smoother counterattack, as the Bronx side must find ways to avoid being overexposed when it comes to their center-backs and opponents finding space to occupy and take advantage of.

Álvarez may not have the cleanest, smoothest, or most technical ability. He has glaring difficulty with being able to play the long ball, which is something he will definitely need to improve on if, in fact, he has any chance of being picked up by NYCFC. Still, with previous experience in MLS, he might have the chance to return.

Maybe, for Álvarez, a change of scenery and being part of NYCFC may change the trajectory of his professional career and bring out the very best in him. But again, similar to Brown, he just joined Deportivo Cali this season. It might be more difficult to acquire him, though, for his contract is longer.

Michael Edwards, center-back, Oakland Roots SC

There can be a strong case made for Michael Edwards, who plays center back for Oakland Roots SC. Currently playing for the USL Championship club, the 25-year-old, 6-foot-3, right-footed center back seems like a diamond-in-the-rough player. And while he also recently signed with Oakland, his one-year contract might make it easier to sign him.

Taking a deeper look at his player profile via FotMob, he can definitely contribute in a multitude of ways. The number that stands out the most is that he has had 51 defensive recoveries so far this season. Pairing that with 90 defensive contributions along with 59 defensive clearances, Edwards would definitely be the profile of player that could be a staple on the NYCFC backline.

He definitely could come in and offer immediate help. Although he is starting for Oakland Roots SC after being signed by the club in early January, maybe a conversation with NYCFC executives, getting a chance to hear and understand what they are building toward and the urgency to win the MLS Cup right now, may be persuasive enough for him to find a new home in New York City.

Marcel Hartel, midfielder, St. Louis City SC

Every fan base can dream of signing an All-Star-caliber player from another team. For NYCFC, that All-Star player could be midfielder Marcel Hartel from St. Louis City SC.

What stands out, apart from his ability to recognize and understand how to utilize space, is his confidence on the ball and scoring from long range. Whether it’s cutting behind the defense, creating an overlap with a teammate on the counterattack, or occupying the right pocket of defensive space between the lines, his soccer IQ is off the charts. Being paired with a striker like Traoré would make them a complete offensive duo. Add in Nicolás Fernández Mercau, and the attack would be incredible.

St. Louis currently sits 12th in the Western Conference. NYCFC is currently eighth in the Eastern Conference. Potentially having any shot at landing Hartel would definitely need to be at a price that St. Louis could not refuse, but one may argue that making a big investment in a player of this caliber may result in another trophy being lifted by the Boys in Blue.

Jack McGlynn, midfielder, Houston Dynamo

Jack McGlynn is an interchangeable, crafty type of midfield player who, if given the opportunity, can transition into multiple roles. Although he is primarily a central midfielder, he has had experience in all phases of the midfield, whether it be as a right midfielder, a right-winger, an attacking midfielder, or a left midfielder.

McGlynn has so much power in his left foot, gliding past defenders and finding the back of the net almost at will. His most effective attribute is his ability to see the complete field, and a common staple of any successful midfielder is pinpoint passing accuracy.

He definitely knows how to score. It’s things like aerial duels and navigating dribbling past the opposition that he will definitely need to improve on if a move to New York City is potentially in the works. McGlynn could be utilized in the latter part of a match when NYCFC needs some sort of spark to get them over the hump when they are facing a tough opponent.

McGlynn could fill that type of role, although, like many players, he may want to be a starter. However, with the camaraderie that NYCFC’s Starting XI already has, making drastic changes may be a detriment.

Rounding up these choices for NYCFC

Although the names mentioned as targets in this article will not cause anyone to immediately put a contract on the table, soccer is a game of inches, a game of strategy at the highest level. It may take one, two, or maybe three strategic moves to shift the odds in NYCFC’s favor to allow them to elevate their position within the MLS Eastern Conference and the overall MLS table.

A lot of teams have turned things around through the transfer market and the transfer deadline, and with one of the best developmental staffs in MLS, maybe at least one of these names could be on the radar of the Boys in Blue if they’re able to make big enough moves.

Ultimately, only time will tell what the thought process is and what the plans are to further support NYCFC’s success. Nevertheless, everyone will be watching and waiting to see which player signs on the dotted line after the window has closed.

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