They best be paying him a boatload of money to start yet another team from scratch or perchance Claudio Reyna is a glutton for punishment. After a very disappointing post season, one and done in staggering fashion, the Sporting Director of the only pro soccer team in NYC has moved on to Austin FC. David Lee will move up the ladder in NYCFC from Technical to Sporting Director. The landscape of local soccer has changed so much in the last few days, this is another loss for local soccer. The first hire of the team in 2013, Reyna was fully at the helm in building it from scratch. Although they bombed out in the playofs, they had already qualified for the Concacaf Champions League, following a 4th straight year in the playoffs. The youth side has been far more successful than the senior team, in large part to GIo, the son of Claudio, taking the 2017 U-17 Generation adidas Cup and the '18 & '19 USSDA National Championships, the first U-19 to be champions consecutively. Claudio stated "After 5 season as the Sporting Director for New York City FC, I've decided to accept the exciting opportunity to once again be part of an expansion club. NYCFC is such a special place and being Sporting Director of this great Club has been one of the most enjoyable and proud moments in my career. I would like to thank everyone here at NYCFC, our players, Sporting Department, support staff and the front office. Finally thank you to the fans." For his part NYCFC Vice Chairman Marty Eldelman added "On behalf of our ownership and everyone at NYCFC, I would like to sincerely thank Claudio for the incredible accomplishments and exceptional leadership over the past 6 years." NYCFC CEO Brad Sims had his say "It has been a privilege to work with Claudio, and I'd like to thank him for his amazing contribution to the club." Claudio you will be missed.
His parting video is on the Facebook of Soccer Long Island Magazine.