D.C. United acquire NYCFC's Cody Mizell, make him goalie coach

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd January, 15:30 2024

Jul 26, 2023; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York City FC goalkeeper Cody Mizell (25) with beats wireless headphones on the pitch before the match against Toronto FC at Red Bull Arena. credits: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

D.C. United made a deal with an Eastern Conference rival Tuesday to land a new goalkeeper coach.

D.C. traded $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money to New York City FC in exchange for goalkeeper Cody Mizell. Upon completion of the trade, according to D.C., Mizell retired from his playing career and joined the staff of new head coach Troy Lesesne to coach the netminders.

Mizell, 32, did not appear in a match in his three seasons with NYCFC.

Before joining NYCFC, Mizell played professionally around the U.S. and in Iceland.

"Prior to joining us as a coach, I worked with Cody at the Charlotte Independence and New Mexico United," Lesesne said in a statement. "Coaching was always going to be in his future once he made the decision to step away from his playing career. His energy and his empathy for what every one of our goalkeepers will need is such an asset and I'm happy to have him starting his coaching career with our club."

Tyler Miller and Alex Bono split goalkeeping duties last season for D.C. United, who missed the playoffs with a 12th-place finish in the East (10-14-10, 40 points).

D.C. parted with coach Wayne Rooney and hired Lesesne, who spent most of the 2023 season as the New York Red Bulls' interim coach.

—Field Level Media