The New York City Football Club added 23 year old New Jersey (home turn represent) goalkeeper Tomás Romero through 2024 with options through 2026 in a deal that gives them now 4 players manning the net for the upcoming season. The Cherry Hill native, who played 18 matches for LAFC in 2021 & 6 last year for Toronto FC is expected to back up both starters Matt Freese as well as Luis Barraza, however the club also added 22 year old Alex Rando who himself was promoted from the NYCFC II club.
At 6’2″, 190lbs, Romero has a solid frame for someone in net, but the curiosity remains what the team will do with now 4 in the back. I asked this same question when Rando was moved up a few weeks back, as the team temporarily had 4 in net with Cody Mizell (who was since traded to DC United to become their new Goalkeepers Coach) but in this case, the logjam. Mizell had accepted his role as trainer even with NYCFC but this has me intrigued what the next step would be. An argument could be make that backup and temporary starter last season Luis Barraza could be moved, still being in his prime at 27 years old. This to me makes the most sense, as he’s ready to start and has leadership in him while Rando/Romero could be groomed for the future.
Regardless of what the team decides to do, I’m confident the back end is safe. The team gave up 4 goals in it’s last 8 and the defense wasn’t really the big question mark going into this season. But in adding Romero, it does add a question mark going into the 2024 season.
About the author – Scott Churchson has been an actor in every way for the past 13 years, from BG to stand in to stunts and principal, a sports writer for the past 4 and is one of the people that created Stream Punk Entertainment. He’s married to a veterinarian, has a cat with three working legs, a mother-in-law who just moved in and is just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe.