FC Cincinnati has parted ways with veteran center back Matt Miazga in advance of its home game against D.C. United Sept. 5.
Miazga confirmed his exit on his Instagram account Sept. 4. The news was reported
Friday afternoon by Laurel Pfahler of Queen City Press. Miazga was due to be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season. Pfahler and Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported that Miazga and the club are negotiating terms of his departure.
Miazga will immediately be able to sign with another club. Bogert speculated that he will join another Major League Soccer team before the end of the season.
Miazga’s exit shakes up the back line in advance of the game against D.C. United at TQL Stadium. In addition to Miazga, Cincinnati will not have Samuel Gidi available as he has yet to clear concussion protocol.
The move might be to free up salary for other players. Miazga has a base salary of $1.6 million, which as of May 12 was the fourth-highest among center backs in MLS. FC Cincinnati just acquired center back Julian Malatini and wingback David Doudera this week at the end of the MLS transfer windown, and General Manager Chris Albright indicated that the club is still looking to sign free agents.
Cincinnati has conceded 51 goals in 22 MLS games, 2.3 per contest and third-highest in the league.
Miazga, 31, joined Cincinnati late in the 2022 season, which was Cincinnati’s first playoff season. He started 10 games that year. He was the MLS Defender of the Year in 2023, helping Cincinnati win the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Miazga has started 84 games for Cincinnati. He has been set back by injuries in recent years, playing 16 games in 2024 and 14 out of 22 this season.
He posted on his Instagram account soon after the news broke with a long message to FC Cincinnati fans. He said, in part, “Thank you Cincinnati for the last 4 years! What a ride it’s been. I wish I was able to say goodbye the right way at TQL in front of you all. I’m so proud of everything we built together and the success we were able to share. When I look back at it all - the wins, the challenges, the accomplishments, it’s actually the people I met and and the friendships made that will last a lifetime.”
He ended with “My 3 children were born here and Cincy will always have a special place in our hearts.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati parts ways with Matt Miazga ahead of D.C. United game
