NYCFC news roundup: Bénie Traoré is here and Matt Freese is an All-Star

The 2026 World Cup is almost over, and that means New York City FC and Major League Soccer will return soon. Some teams will play this week while many teams will return on Wednesday, July 22. The hope is that the Pigeons can look at the first half of the season, toss most of it aside, and begin again with a fresh outlook and ideally a healthier squad.

More importantly, the team has reinforcements, from familiar faces in James Sands and Mitja Ilenič, to a new forward in Bénie Traoré. They still need help, especially defensively, and perhaps the Boys in Blue can look at players that nobody would expect. Nevertheless, they should bring in a new center-back, for at least Ilenič gives that depth at right-back again.

While fans wait for the rest of the season, check out the next NYCFC news roundup.

Bénie Traoré is officially here

Speaking about Traoré, the forward has officially arrived in the Big Apple. NYCFC posted on social media on Saturday about his first time at the Etihad City Football Academy, the training center for the Boys in Blue. He got to look around and meet his new teammates. Hopefully, he will begin training right away and will be available next week.

It is easy to assume that Traoré will fill in as the striker for now, but nothing is set in stone. He should bring that offensive help that NYCFC needs, no matter where he plays in the final third.

Matt Freese will represent NYCFC at the All-Star game

After a rough performance in the USMNT's final game of the World Cup, Matt Freese has some positivity coming his way. The goalkeeper will be at the All-Star game at the end of the month. This is, of course, a great honor. However, many fans will argue that the match is meaningless and that players are better off not playing in it.

Still, Freese will represent NYCFC at the match. He also might not play, for not everyone will due to the number of All-Stars. If he does, fans will hope that he shows off and reminds everyone that the Belgium game at the World Cup was a fluke, and that he is much better than that.

In addition, Freese will participate in the All-Star Skills Challenge. Of course, he will be in the goalkeeping event. This will be interesting to watch, and maybe he will come away with the win.

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