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NYCFC bolster back line via trade for Ethan White

Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA Today Sports
Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA Today Sports

Ethan White’s tour of the northeast continues. Next stop: New York City.

New York City FC announced on Thursday that it has traded for White, the 24-year-old centerback who last played for the Philadelphia Union. NYCFC traded a fourth-round pick in the 2017 MLS Draft for White.

“We are excited to add an athletic and experienced center-half in Ethan White to our roster,” said sporting director Claudio Reyna in a statement. “He is a young player and we are looking forward to working with him and developing his game even further.”

White, who began his career by playing for D.C. United in 2011, made 28 appearances (25 starts) in his two seasons with the Union. Prior to that, he saw time in 38 games (34) for D.C. United.

White should bolster a New York City FC back line that was quite porous in 2015. NYCFC finished its inaugural MLS campaign with 58 goals conceded, which was tied for worst in the league.

“I’m really pleased. It’s a great opportunity for me to join an exciting club that’s looking to do big things,” said White in the same statement. “I’m very happy to be a part of this and I am determined to help the club achieve success. I’m already looking forward to joining my new teammates for preseason.”

What do you think of White joining NYCFC? See him as a starter for the club in 2016 or a reserve? How much more help does NYCFC still need at the back in order to drastically improve next year?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Ethan White was a homegrown player, got brought in to the side when they were terrible and also soft (they would get shoved around by guys like Will Bruin). He added athleticism, effort, and physicality. And that’s his game pretty much. He isn’t a beast in the air. He doesn’t have a great touch or is a good distributor of the ball. He isn’t going to score goals on corners or dead ball situations. And he’s not a great organizer. But he’s a young veteran (rare to find a 24 y.o. in MLS who has started 59 games) who’s cheap and isn’t a trouble-maker or team cancer in some way. For a team like NYCFC, he’s a good guy to have in the mix. If he’s your best CB, you’re in trouble. But to have him as one of your top 3 isn’t bad.

    Reply
      • There are good homegrown players. Andy Najar and Bill Hamid come to mind. I believe that Gyassi Zardes is also a homegrown players. But typically those that stay in the league and aren’t sold abroad aren’t the cream of the crop.

    • Because MLS is comprised of one Kaka and 10 Ethan White’s instead of 11 Cyle Larin’s. It’s a horrible set-up that looks good on paper to some, but bad on TV to most.

      Reply

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