Two days after New York City FC won the MLS Cup the club announced it declined the options of Jesús Medina, Juan Pablo Torres, Gudi Thórarinsson, and Tony Rocha.
Three of those declined options made sense. Medina was a Designated Player who never quite lived up to his contract, Pablo Torres hardly appeared for NYCFC, and Rocha was a much-loved but aging backup. But Thórarinsson? The defender started 20 games for NYCFC in 2021, logging 1660 minutes and scoring two goals — one of which was the now-legendary free kick in the 89th minute against Atlanta United on October 20.