The long search for a Taty Castellanos replacement is still winding on as New York City FC are coming up on one year since he played his last MLS game, and over a year from when most knew that his departure was imminent. The NYCFC striker situation is still unsettled.
At the midway point this season, Talles Magno, Gabriel Segal, Santiago Rodríguez, and Richy Ledezma have all been trotted out as potential solutions to this striker puzzle. As most could assume from the fact that there’s been four different strikers just 16 games into the season, there has not been a resounding winner.
First off is Talles Magno, who started the season as the de-facto number nine. Hudson River Blue contributing writer Mark Radigan already covered the Brazilian in detail, but his stint as the No 9 only lasting five games says a lot.
• 2023 Midterm Report Card: Talles Magno
New York City also tried out the new man and natural striker Gabe Segal. He came over on a free transfer from FC Köln II in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga with relatively low expectations, at least from me. I don’t want to rule out the 22-year-old entirely from future consideration, but his appearances have been underwhelming. For many of Segal’s five starts, it was only when he was subbed off that I realized he was, indeed, on the field. He didn’t necessarily make mistakes when playing the No 9, but he failed to make any kind of imprint on the games he played in.
Then came a familiar face in a different place: Santi started the season as the heir apparent to Maxi Moralez’s role as the No 10, but under head coach Nick Cushing he found himself playing in more of a False 9 role. Rodríguez actually had a fair bit of success playing as the False Nine, scoring three goals in three games, and for a few weeks it looked like he could fill in until a true striker came to town. However, Cushing soon shifted him back to his more natural role as the No 10.
• 2023 Midterm Report Card: Nick Cushing
Lastly, we saw have Richy Ledezma playing in the striker spot. Ledezma has actually shown out quite nicely for NYCFC since coming over from PSV
Lastly, we saw have Richy Ledezma playing in the striker spot. Ledezma has actually shown out quite nicely for NYCFC since coming over from PSV
Lastly, we saw have Richy Ledezma playing in the striker spot. Ledezma has actually shown out quite nicely for NYCFC since coming over from PSV Eindhoven. However, it was as a creative midfielder, not as a striker. Ledezma has been one of the few bright spots this season. As he settles into the team, he can be counted on to has create dangerous chances through his passing and quick movements — he already tallied three assists, but is still looking for his first goal.
Ledezma has impressed pas a player, but he’s not the team’s solution at striker.
All of this is to say: NYCFC, will you please, please, please sign a striker in this summer transfer window? There is no serious No 9 on this current roster as the current nine-game winless streak in all competitions shows us.
