Starts: 9
Minutes: 778
Age: 26
Key Stat: 1 goal involvement in 5 league games
Will the real Raul Gustavo please stand up?
Sometimes, Raul Gusatvo is the left-footed center back any club would dream of signing: Physical, confident, and technical, a two-way threat that frustrates the opposition's attackers and terrifies their defenders. We saw that Raul Gustavo in New York City FC's 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, when he made nine defensive contributions at one end of the field, seven passes into the attacking third at the other. That Raul Gustavo can't be stopped.
But sometimes, Raul Gusatvo can be the weak link in an otherwise solid defense. We saw that Raul Gusatvo in the 1-0 loss to Philadelphia Union on October 4, when he regularly gave up the ball in dangerous positions. That Raul Gusatvo was easily dispossessed, and became one of the team's biggest liabilities on the field.
Creating chemistry
It's a little unfair to expect too much of Raul Gusatvo, who joined the team late in the season. The 26-year-old was signed on August 15, just before Matchday 25. The defender joined from the European offseason, and he needed some time to adjust to the team and become match-fit. Raul Gusatvo didn't make his club debut until almost one month later, when New York City beat Chicago Fire 3-1 on September 13 in Matchday 28, and he didn't become a regular starter until the 3-2 win over Red Bull New York on September 27 in Matchday 32.
In other words, Raul Gusatvo is still vibing with the team. On-field chemistry is essential in a defensive partnership, and that takes time.
While that helps explain performances like the one against Philadelphia in October, it doesn't excuse it. That loss can't be put at his feet, but the poor quality of Raul Gustavo's play that night shut down some promising moments for New York City. He'll need to do better when the 2026 season rolls around.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Double threat?
When Hudson River Blue scouted Raul Gustavo after he signed with NYCFC, we noted that the 6' 2" center back would bring some much-needed physicality to the squad. He looked to be a defensive upgrade over Birk Risa, who struggled against the league's larger forwards.
We didn't foresee how the defender could prove to be an attacking threat. In just his third appearance with the club, Rual Gustavo provided a peach of an assist to Andrés Perea in New York City's 3-2 win over Red Bull New York on September 27. It created a goal out of nothing: Aiden O'Neill distributed the ball to Rual Gustavo on the left flank, who then sent a low cross into the box that Perea pinged into a long, looping header that beat goalkeeper Carlos Coronel at the far post.
Raul Gustavo provides the assist for Andrés Perea's goal vs Red Bull New York | Courtesy MLS
