NYCFC Parts Ways With Captain Thiago Martins
New York City FC announced the departure of its Brazilian defender after a season that ended without an MLS Cup Playoff berth.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Soccer
New York City FC announced the departure of captain Thiago Martins on Thursday. The 31-year-old Brazilian defender posted three goals and five assists in 174 appearances for the club.
Why it matters
The move comes after NYCFC missed the MLS Cup Playoffs this season, finishing four points below the Eastern Conference cut line. It removes a longtime captain from a squad looking to rebuild its postseason standing.
Martins contributed three goals and five assists across 174 appearances for NYCFC since joining as a designated player in 2022. NYCFC finished four points below the Eastern Conference cut line, and the terms of his exit and any replacement plans were not disclosed.
The players
Thiago Martins
Thiago Martins is a 31-year-old Brazilian defender who previously played for Palmeiras and Yokohama F. Marinos before his time at NYCFC.
New York City FC
New York City FC is a Major League Soccer club based in New York City that reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2022 and 2025.
Todd Dunivant
Todd Dunivant serves as sporting director of New York City FC and issued the club's statement on Martins's departure.
The details
NYCFC announced the departure on Thursday, with sporting director Todd Dunivant issuing a statement on the move. Martins previously played for Palmeiras and Yokohama F. Marinos before joining NYCFC, where he helped win the 2022 Campeones Cup and earned MLS All-Star honors in 2024.
Timeline
Martins signed with NYCFC as a designated player on February 7, 2022.
NYCFC reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2022 and again in 2025.
NYCFC announced Martins's departure on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Martins was part of the NYCFC squad that won the 2022 Campeones Cup and reached the Eastern Conference finals in both 2022 and 2025. Missing the MLS Cup Playoffs this season marks a sharp decline from that stretch of contention.
With Martins gone, NYCFC's defensive leadership and captaincy must be filled, which affects fantasy and lineup expectations for the club. The club's next roster decisions will determine how quickly its postseason fortunes can recover.
The takeaway
Roster turnover after a missed playoff run is a common reset point, and watching how NYCFC fills the captaincy will indicate its near-term direction.
Further reading
Explore more in our Soccer coverage for context on New York City's clubs and league standings.
