Former New York City FC goalkeeper Cody Mizell will join Eastern Conference side DC United to become goalkeepers coach. Despite not playing a minute of game time while with NYCFC, Mizell was a part of the teams that won the MLS Cup in 2021 and the Campeones Cup in 2022.
Mizell joined New York in March 2021 from USL Championships side New Mexico United. He never took the field for the First Team during his time at New York City – last year, Mizell served as the third-string goalkeeper behind Luis Barraza and Matt Freese – but he was liked and respected by the other players, and was an important presence on the training pitch and in the dressing room.
The 32-year-old was left out of NYCFC’s 2024 preseason squad, and the club announced they were seeking potential transfers for him, Nicolás Acevedo, and Thiago.
Before his time in the Big Apple, Mizell moved between several USL Championship sides. Mizell was New Mexico United’s main goalkeeper in 2019 and 2020, starting in over 50 matches. In the 2020 season, he registered seven clean sheets with a save percentage of 64 percent.
Mizell was loaned back to New Mexico while with NYCFC, and played two games for the club in 2022.
With the departure, Freese will likely remain the starting goalkeeper with Barraza as the backup. Homegrown signing Alex Rando seems to be the viable option as third in line if he is not loaned out or returned to NYCFC II.
UPDATE: The transfer was officially announced by the club on January 23. Because Mizell is under contract, NYCFC will receive $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money.
