Rochester New York FC have been forced to withdraw from entering the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, in a major blow for the side and minority shareholder Jamie Vardy.
According to the Daily Mail, RNYFC were set to receive fresh investment before the new season, but the deal collapsed while in the advanced stages. RNYFC were counting on the investment to be able to compete, and have been forced to sit out of the competition.
In a long statement posted on the MLS NEXT Pro website, the club said: "It is with a heavy heart and a great sense of disappointment that we share with you Rochester NY Football Club will not participate in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. This decision involved a great deal of input from many stakeholders including MLS NEXT Pro and was not one we arrived at lightly.