James Sands, New York City FC’s first-ever Homegrown player, started a career-high 29 MLS regular season games in 2024. That's because Sands is one of the most important players at NYCFC: He doesn’t have the eye-popping stats of Matt Freese, Alonso Martínez, or Santiago Rodríguez, but his defensive efforts and consistency are key to the team’s success. He does the dirty work.
The Guy from Rye had a tough start to the season. He was sent off in the 0-2 defeat to St. Louis City when he made an error leading to a goal in that game. It resulted in a season-low 3.0 player rating from the Hudson River Blue readers. When Sands slumped, so did NYCFC.
But as the season went on, Sands returned to form and ended strong. His defensive stats this year were the best out of his seven seasons at New York City. Per FBRef, Sands led the team in tackles (81), tackles won (54), dribblers tackled (34), blocks (44), and interceptions (45). His 14 blocked shots and 52 clearances were the third-most and fourth-most on the team, respectively.
Those are the kinds of stats that are often overlooked. But everybody loves a goal, and the 44,738 people who piled into Yankee Stadium to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play in late September did not forget watching Sands score a stoppage-time equalizer that saved a valuable point for NYCFC.
Sands also had the special honor of marking Messi that afternoon, limiting him to just one touch in New York City’s box and only one successful dribble. Messi ended the game with a season-low 5.9 FotMob rating, while Sands was given an 8.0 FotMob rating and a season-high 9.1 player rating by Hudson River Blue readers.
Sands – who played on loan for Scottish Premiership side Rangers FC between 2021 and 2023 – made it clear that his goal is to return to Europe and become a starter overseas one day. His contract with NYCFC lasts through the 2027 season, meaning Sands may look for a new club that following winter. For now, though, Sands remains a New York City player and is primed to be a starter for as long as he’s here. NYCFC is glad to have him.
