We look at the individual strengths and weakness of every member of this young squad
Welcome to the Hudson River Blue 2024 NYCFC Player Preview Hub.
Here’s how it works: We’ll add a new player preview every morning at 6 am ET to our homepage, and update this hub with the profiles written by ace contributors John Baney, Andrew Leigh, Matthew Mangam, Mark Radigan, and Oliver Strand. Our goal is to keep you informed about this young New York City FC squad, so that you’re familiar with every player before the MLS season begins on February 24.
Goalkeepers
• Matt Freese
By Andrew Leigh
The 26-year-old enters 2024 with a contract extension and a firm grip on the first-choice goalkeeper role, and will look to cement himself as a starter in MLS.
• Luis Barraza
By Oliver Strand
The backup-turned-starter slipped down the depth chart at the end of 2023. Will he return to the Starting XI in 2024?
• Alex Rando
By Matthew Mangam.
The homegrown goalkeeper was elevated from NYCFC II to the First Team, but will he spend another season in MLS NEXT Pro with the arrival of Tomás Romero?
• Tomás Romero
By Oliver Strand
The 23-year-old with 10 caps for the El Salvador national football team is a last-minute addition to the NYCFC squad. What does his arrival do to the goalkeeper depth chart?
By Andrew Leigh
The 26-year-old enters 2024 with a contract extension and a firm grip on the first-choice goalkeeper role, and will look to cement himself as a starter in MLS.
• Luis Barraza
By Oliver Strand
The backup-turned-starter slipped down the depth chart at the end of 2023. Will he return to the Starting XI in 2024?
• Alex Rando
By Matthew Mangam.
The homegrown goalkeeper was elevated from NYCFC II to the First Team, but will he spend another season in MLS NEXT Pro with the arrival of Tomás Romero?
• Tomás Romero
By Oliver Strand
The 23-year-old with 10 caps for the El Salvador national football team is a last-minute addition to the NYCFC squad. What does his arrival do to the goalkeeper depth chart?
Defenders
• Thiago Martins
By Oliver Strand
It’s time for the 28-year-old center-back to show us why he’s the best-paid defender in MLS.
• Birk Risa
By Mark Radigan
The defender didn’t set a foot wrong after joining the team at the end of the 2023 season: Will he combine with Thiago Martins to form the best center-back pairing in the league?
• Strahinja Tanasijević
By Andrew Leigh
The 26-year-old defender who joined the club just last week adds depth to the central defender position, and is expected to rotate in when the need arises in 2024.
• Tayvon Gray
By Matthew Mangam
The 21-year-old is a key figure in NYCFC’s defense, and he should play an important role in what might be the best back line in MLS.
• Mitja Ilenič
By Matthew Mangam
The 19-year-old right-back offers attacking support on the flanks and flourishes in a back-three, but he’ll continue to split minutes with a defensively solid Gray who works well in a back-four.
• Kevin O’Toole
By Matthew Mangam
The 2022 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick emerged as NYCFC’s starting left-back, and looks to make a big impact in 2024.
• Christian McFarlane
By Andrew Leigh
The highly-regarded 17-year-old fullback gained valuable experience with NYCFC II — and earned the attention of Manchester City and the England national youth coaches. But how close is he to an MLS debut?
By Oliver Strand
It’s time for the 28-year-old center-back to show us why he’s the best-paid defender in MLS.
• Birk Risa
By Mark Radigan
The defender didn’t set a foot wrong after joining the team at the end of the 2023 season: Will he combine with Thiago Martins to form the best center-back pairing in the league?
• Strahinja Tanasijević
By Andrew Leigh
The 26-year-old defender who joined the club just last week adds depth to the central defender position, and is expected to rotate in when the need arises in 2024.
• Tayvon Gray
By Matthew Mangam
The 21-year-old is a key figure in NYCFC’s defense, and he should play an important role in what might be the best back line in MLS.
• Mitja Ilenič
By Matthew Mangam
The 19-year-old right-back offers attacking support on the flanks and flourishes in a back-three, but he’ll continue to split minutes with a defensively solid Gray who works well in a back-four.
• Kevin O’Toole
By Matthew Mangam
The 2022 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick emerged as NYCFC’s starting left-back, and looks to make a big impact in 2024.
• Christian McFarlane
By Andrew Leigh
The highly-regarded 17-year-old fullback gained valuable experience with NYCFC II — and earned the attention of Manchester City and the England national youth coaches. But how close is he to an MLS debut?
Midfielders
• James Sands
By Andrew Leigh
The Guy from Rye had a solid 2023 after his return to NYCFC. Will he reach elite levels in 2024?
• Andrés Perea
By Matthew Mangam
NYCFC did good business to sign Perea to a permanent transfer: The 23-year-old will anchor a promising NYCFC midfield in 2024.
• Justin Haak
By John Baney
The 22-year-old Homegrown has proven his worth at NYCFC, but transfer rumors persist after he struggled to find minutes last season.
• Keaton Parks
By Andrew Leigh
After two injury-shortened seasons, Parks ran the NYCFC midfield in 2023. Can he add more to the club's revamped attack in 2024?
• Maxi Moralez
By Oliver Strand
The 36-year-old playmaker is a club legend. But how much of an impact will he have in 2024?
• Santiago Rodríguez
By Mark Radigan
Indispensable at times for NYCFC in 2023, the Uruguayan has more to prove in 2024.
By Andrew Leigh
The Guy from Rye had a solid 2023 after his return to NYCFC. Will he reach elite levels in 2024?
• Andrés Perea
By Matthew Mangam
NYCFC did good business to sign Perea to a permanent transfer: The 23-year-old will anchor a promising NYCFC midfield in 2024.
• Justin Haak
By John Baney
The 22-year-old Homegrown has proven his worth at NYCFC, but transfer rumors persist after he struggled to find minutes last season.
• Keaton Parks
By Andrew Leigh
After two injury-shortened seasons, Parks ran the NYCFC midfield in 2023. Can he add more to the club's revamped attack in 2024?
• Maxi Moralez
By Oliver Strand
The 36-year-old playmaker is a club legend. But how much of an impact will he have in 2024?
• Santiago Rodríguez
By Mark Radigan
Indispensable at times for NYCFC in 2023, the Uruguayan has more to prove in 2024.
Forwards
• Julian Fernandez
By John Baney
The 20-year-old is the presumed starter at right wing, and should light up the league in 2024.
• Andres Jasson
By Matthew Mangam
Andres Jasson was the most-fouled player in MLS last season. Will the 22-year-old make the NYCFC Starting XI in 2024?
• Alonso Martínez
By Oliver Strand
The Costa Rica international will have to fight to find playing time now that NYCFC signed two promising wingers.
• Talles Magno
By Mark Radigan
The Brazilian prodigy has work to do in 2024 to justify his current value, which NYCFC put at a cool $20 million.
• Malachi Jones
By Oliver Strand
The 20-year-old SuperDraft pick made a strong impression at the Coachella Valley Invitational: It's not a question of if he'll make his MLS debut, but when.
• Augustín "Trapito" Ojeda
By John Baney
NYCFC poached the crown jewel of Racing's academy, but is the 19-year-old ready to be an everyday starter?
• Hannes Wolf
By Mark Radigan
The Austrian winger could be one of the best MLS signings this year — if the 24-year-old regains his fitness and remains healthy.
• Mounsef Bakrar
By Andrew Leigh
The 23-year-old striker made a promising 2023 debut and could be considered a breakout candidate for 2024, but Jovan Mijatović's arrival complicates things.
• Jovan Mijatović
By Oliver Strand
The 18-year-old striker might be the brightest prospect ever to sign for NYCFC, but he'll still need to prove himself to get playing time this year.
By John Baney
The 20-year-old is the presumed starter at right wing, and should light up the league in 2024.
• Andres Jasson
By Matthew Mangam
Andres Jasson was the most-fouled player in MLS last season. Will the 22-year-old make the NYCFC Starting XI in 2024?
• Alonso Martínez
By Oliver Strand
The Costa Rica international will have to fight to find playing time now that NYCFC signed two promising wingers.
• Talles Magno
By Mark Radigan
The Brazilian prodigy has work to do in 2024 to justify his current value, which NYCFC put at a cool $20 million.
• Malachi Jones
By Oliver Strand
The 20-year-old SuperDraft pick made a strong impression at the Coachella Valley Invitational: It's not a question of if he'll make his MLS debut, but when.
• Augustín "Trapito" Ojeda
By John Baney
NYCFC poached the crown jewel of Racing's academy, but is the 19-year-old ready to be an everyday starter?
• Hannes Wolf
By Mark Radigan
The Austrian winger could be one of the best MLS signings this year — if the 24-year-old regains his fitness and remains healthy.
• Mounsef Bakrar
By Andrew Leigh
The 23-year-old striker made a promising 2023 debut and could be considered a breakout candidate for 2024, but Jovan Mijatović's arrival complicates things.
• Jovan Mijatović
By Oliver Strand
The 18-year-old striker might be the brightest prospect ever to sign for NYCFC, but he'll still need to prove himself to get playing time this year.
