Starts: 29
Minutes: 2,548
Age: 26
Key Stat: 1,162 completed passes, fourth-most on team
After establishing himself in the 2024 season, Kevin O’Toole was once again a mainstay in New York City FC's Starting XI in 2025. The left back logged 2,548 minutes through 34 appearances in all competitions matches this season, missing eight games due to injury and one due to suspension. O'Toole logged slightly less time in 2025 than he did in 2024, but he still managed to play the seventh-most minutes for the club.
Head Coach Pascal Jensen’s system relies heavily on his fullbacks to bomb up and down the pitch and contribute to both the offensive and defensive sides of the game. The 26-year-old created 21 chances, completed 11 successful dribbles, and provided one goal and one assist in all competitions this year. But in a system where the fullbacks are tasked to get high up the pitch, there comes the added risk of getting exposed in behind in wide areas. However, O’Toole remained defensively sound throughout the year, making 58 tackles and winning 125 duels.
It’s worth noting he received seven yellow cards in Major League Soccer. But it’s not uncommon to see fullbacks exposed in this system and having to resort to a foul or two.
Andrew Leigh
Slow out of the gate
The New York City FC defense as a whole had a shaky start to 2025. With Thiago Martin's injury in preseason keeping him out of the Starting XI for the opening two games, the defensive lineup was inconsistent from the jump. It didn't help that O’Toole received two yellows in the March 8 win over Orlando City in Matchday 3, and was suspended for the next fixture.
