NYCFC should be ashamed based on reports that Justin Haak is going elsewhere | OneFootball

New York City FC did not have to do too much to make fans happy this offseason.  All they needed to do was bring in someone to replace Alonso Martínez and his goals while the striker recovers from his ACL tear and bring back Justin Haak.  The first one, the Pigeons can take their time, but there was a rush to sign Haak.  That is why it was believed that the team needed to re-sign him right away.

However, NYCFC should be ashamed and embarrassed.  Tom Bogert of The Athletic is reporting that the LA Galaxy is about to sign the defender, ending his time with the Pigeons in such a sad manner.  Fans grew to love him and wanted the third-ever Homegrown player to return.  Many wanted the team to do everything to re-sign him, but talks reportedly broke down.  Instead, he will likely be heading to the West Coast.

NYCFC might be responsible for losing Justin Haak

The player took time to develop, but blossomed into a brilliant center-back, partnering with Thiago Martins.  Haak’s jump in 2025 was a little unexpected, but over the last few years, he showed glimpses of who he could become.  NYCFC should be ashamed if they based contract negotiations on his best season yet.

In complete honesty, this would often be a good argument.  But the Brooklyn native was finally given a chance as a starter, and took the role with flying colors.  Previously, he never played more than 15 games in the Major League Soccer regular season and was rarely given a chance to start.  But that changed in 2025. If he did not play well and was constantly given a chance, then the story would be different.

This is one of those cases where Haak’s contract should be based on 2025.  Hence, the Boys in Blue should have put up an effort to re-sign him, regardless of the price.  Letting him go elsewhere, especially to the Galaxy, is a big shame.  NYCFC should be greatly embarrassed that they could not hold onto the Homegrown player.  While the Pigeons have been willing to invest in the youth, their inability to bring back Haak highlights the lack of willingness to always invest in players who deserve the contracts they deserve.

Of course, a proper explanation, like Haak deciding he wanted to leave no matter what or asked for an astronomical salary, would lessen the draw of losing the defender.

At the same time, LA has not signed him yet.  There could be a last-minute change as long as Haak has not put pen to paper.  But based on Bogert’s report and the fact that he is often correct, NYCFC is losing out on a top free agent, who happens to be one of their own.  So, for now, shame, NYCFC, shame.