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New York City FC’s inaugural MLS squad: Where are they now?

By Matt Coles

New York City FC player starting line up Josh Saunders (12), Shay Facey (24), Andoni Iraola (51), Angelino (69), Chris Wingert (17), Mehdi Ballouchy, (20), Javier Calle (30), Andrew Jacobson (4), Thomas McNamara (15), Kwadwo Poku (88), and Captain David Villa during the 2015 MLS Match between New York City FC vs Orlando SC on July 26, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY, USA . New York City FC won the match with a score of 5 to 3. Photo �� Ira L. Black (Photo by Ira Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
New York City FC player starting line up Josh Saunders (12), Shay Facey (24), Andoni Iraola (51), Angelino (69), Chris Wingert (17), Mehdi Ballouchy, (20), Javier Calle (30), Andrew Jacobson (4), Thomas McNamara (15), Kwadwo Poku (88), and Captain David Villa during the 2015 MLS Match between New York City FC vs Orlando SC on July 26, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY, USA . New York City FC won the match with a score of 5 to 3. Photo �� Ira L. Black (Photo by Ira Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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May 21, 2016: New York City FC defender Jason Hernandez (2) in action during the New York City FC versus the NY Red Bulls match at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY (Photo by Dennis Schneidler/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
May 21, 2016: New York City FC defender Jason Hernandez (2) in action during the New York City FC versus the NY Red Bulls match at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY (Photo by Dennis Schneidler/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

CB – Jason Hernandez – Retired

MLS mainstay Jason Hernandez was part of New York City FC’s backline for their first two seasons in the league, and he was there from the very start in their opening match against Orlando City.

The defender was taken with the sixth pick of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft by the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls), but he only spent a season with the side. After a couple of terms with Chivas USA, the centre-half made the move to San Jose, signing for the Earthquakes ahead of the 2008 campaign. He went on to play over 170 times for the club and was part of the team that finished top of the regular-season standings in 2012, lifting the Supporters’ Shield.

Hernandez made the move to NYCFC ahead of the 2015 season, chosen as the 6th pick in the Expansion Draft the year prior. He played over 60 times for the club in his two seasons in the Bronx, helping the side into the post-season in both his, and the club’s second year.

Hernandez then made the switch to Toronto FC ahead of the 2017 season and became a staple part of their backline for the treble season. The team won the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and the Canadian Championship in an unprecedented season. He retired after the 2018 campaign and is now the Manager for Player Engagement with the team.

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