NYCFC Appoints Todd Dunivant as Chief Soccer Officer Today

BREAKING NEWS: New York City FC has officially appointed Todd Dunivant as the club’s new Chief Soccer Officer, replacing David Lee following a comprehensive search. This significant move was reported late Monday night, with Dunivant transitioning from his role at Sacramento Republic in the USL Championship.

Dunivant, aged 44, has an impressive track record, having served as General Manager at Sacramento Republic since 2018 and later becoming President in 2020. He steps into a pivotal role at NYCFC after the team concluded its season with a disappointing 5-1 loss to Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals just this past Saturday.

With Dunivant now at the helm, he faces immediate challenges, including negotiating a new contract for homegrown talent Justin Haak and addressing the injury setback of leading scorer Alonso Martínez. These decisions are crucial as NYCFC aims to build on the momentum from their first year under head coach Pascal Jansen.

The search for Lee’s replacement had been discreet, with minimal public speculation. NYCFC CEO Brad Sims stated in November that the organization had narrowed its candidates down and emphasized the need for a fresh perspective. “I would expect whoever we hire to come in to want to dig in and look at things differently,” Sims remarked, highlighting the benefit of new ideas and approaches.

Dunivant’s transition into a front office role follows a distinguished playing career in MLS, where he participated in over 300 matches with clubs including the San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC. His accolades include five MLS Cup victories, two Supporters’ Shields, and a spot on the MLS Best XI in 2011.

Under Dunivant’s leadership, Sacramento Republic secured playoff berths in all but one of his seasons and reached the U.S. Open Cup final in 2022. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to reinvigorate NYCFC’s competitive stature in Major League Soccer.

The announcement of Dunivant’s hiring coincided with NYCFC’s decisions on player options for the 2026 season. The club retained several key players, including Nico Cavallo and Maxi Moralez, while discussions continue regarding the futures of Haak and Andrés Perea, whose option was declined.

As NYCFC embarks on this new chapter under Dunivant, fans and stakeholders are eager to see how his expertise will shape the team’s future. Stay tuned for further updates as developments unfold.