Welcome to the Hudson River Blue 2025 NYCFC Player Preview Hub.
Here’s how it works: We'll publish a new player preview every morning at 6 am ET, and update this hub with the profiles written by our team of contributors John Baney, Noah Kassell-Yung, Andrew Leigh, Matthew Mangam, Mark Radigan, Oliver Strand, and Takashi Williams.
Keep checking back in to learn more about this developing New York City FC squad in advance of the season opener vs Inter Miami on Saturday, February 22, 2025, as this hub will be updated with every new preview we publish.
GOALKEEPERS
• Matt Freese
By Matthew Mangam
He was the best player on the 2024 team. Will Matt Freese now become the best goalkeeper in MLS?
• Alex Rando
By Takashi Williams
Rando was in the 99th percentile for saves with NYCFC II but has yet to see First Team minutes. Will he climb the goalkeeper totem pole this season?
• Tomás Romero
By Noah Kassell-Yung
The 24-year-old El Salvador international faces lots of competition for First Team minutes in goal, but he has a shot.
• Greg Ranjitsingh
By Oliver Strand
The well-traveled veteran with only nine MLS starts across six years in the league will be hoping to earn the NYCFC backup job held by the departed Luis Barraza.
• Matt Freese
By Matthew Mangam
He was the best player on the 2024 team. Will Matt Freese now become the best goalkeeper in MLS?
• Alex Rando
By Takashi Williams
Rando was in the 99th percentile for saves with NYCFC II but has yet to see First Team minutes. Will he climb the goalkeeper totem pole this season?
• Tomás Romero
By Noah Kassell-Yung
The 24-year-old El Salvador international faces lots of competition for First Team minutes in goal, but he has a shot.
• Greg Ranjitsingh
By Oliver Strand
The well-traveled veteran with only nine MLS starts across six years in the league will be hoping to earn the NYCFC backup job held by the departed Luis Barraza.
DEFENDERS
• Thiago Martins
By Andrew Leigh
The team's veteran leader, captain, and MLS All-Star will be hoping to maintain the high levels of performance and durability he hit last season.
• Birk Risa
By Oliver Strand
The central defender faded late last season. Will he rediscover his form under Pascal Janesn?
• Strahinja Tanasijević
By Oliver Strand
With many question marks in the defense and a new coach in place, he will likely get plenty of playing time this season. Will it be as a starter, or again as the primary backup center-back?
• Prince Amponsah
By Oliver Strand
The 21-year-old was considered the "best left-footed CB in college." Will he become the fourth Homegrown to make his MLS debut the same year he was signed?
• Tayvon Gray
By Matthew Mangam
The 22-year-old logged seven assists last year, the most for a fullback since Anton Tinnerholm's eight in 2019. But the right-back is still in competition with Mitja Ilenič for minutes at right-back.
• Thiago Martins
By Andrew Leigh
The team's veteran leader, captain, and MLS All-Star will be hoping to maintain the high levels of performance and durability he hit last season.
• Birk Risa
By Oliver Strand
The central defender faded late last season. Will he rediscover his form under Pascal Janesn?
• Strahinja Tanasijević
By Oliver Strand
With many question marks in the defense and a new coach in place, he will likely get plenty of playing time this season. Will it be as a starter, or again as the primary backup center-back?
• Prince Amponsah
By Oliver Strand
The 21-year-old was considered the "best left-footed CB in college." Will he become the fourth Homegrown to make his MLS debut the same year he was signed?
• Tayvon Gray
By Matthew Mangam
The 22-year-old logged seven assists last year, the most for a fullback since Anton Tinnerholm's eight in 2019. But the right-back is still in competition with Mitja Ilenič for minutes at right-back.
