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It may have been Transfer Deadline Day in England, but clubs across the pond weren’t the only ones buying and selling. The Cosmos may have won 3-0 over Indy Eleven last night, but that was overshadowed by what the club did off the field. Hours before kickoff, AS.com broke the news that New York had sold defender Hunter Freeman to Miami FC. This isn’t the first player Miami poached from the Cosmos, as they bought loanee Philadelphia Union loanee Michael Lahoud before the beginning of the Fall season after flexing with their big money signing of NYCFC fan favorite Poku. Freeman started and played the full ninety against Indy, but One World Sports confirmed the sale of the right back after the game.
Hey @naslofficial - think we've got a Play of the Week nominee for you. @huntfree #NYCvMNU pic.twitter.com/IqcZu6QbZh
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) August 6, 2015
The sale of Freeman by the Cosmos is absolutely baffling. Why sell such an important player at a time where the team is so short on depth? Against the Carolina RailHawks, the Cosmos couldn’t even field a full substitute’s bench! Did Miami simply give the Cosmos an offer they couldn’t refuse or are the club in a position where they have to sell? Whatever the reason for his sale, Freeman and the leadership he brought the Cosmos’s defense will be difficult to replace going forward.
Hunter Freeman's sale to Miami has officially killed my confidence in the @NYCosmos long term. I am beyond stunned and saddened today.
— Eagle Eye Steve (@stevehamlin19) August 31, 2016
Freeman, who has been with the team since 2013, will definitely be missed by the fans. He has been with the Cosmos since the 2013 reboot and has been a key player for the Cosmos, especially this year where he has played both right and center back. It really is sad to see the club sell a player who has worn the captain’s armband and give everything for the team. My personal favorite Hunter Freeman moment was when he saved the ball off the line in the derby against NYCFC. That play shows the dedication and passion Freeman showed in the green and white. Thanks for everything Hunter, we’re wishing you the best at Miami.
UPDATE 9/1 3:40pm:
Hunter Freeman confirmed the move on his personal twitter and left Cosmos Country with this message:
Cosmos Country... pic.twitter.com/48B2OrnJ48
— Hunter Freeman (@huntfree) September 1, 2016