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2025 New York City FC player preview hub

We look at all the strengths and weaknesses of this developing 2025 New York City squad.

Good times | Courtesy newyorkcityfc.com

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 LeighMatthew MangamMark RadiganOliver 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.
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.

Mitja Ilenič
By Takashi Wiliams
The 20-year-old finished last season's campaign starting at right-back over Tayvon Gray. Will he get the nod again under Pascal Jansen?

• Kevin O'Toole
By Oliver Strand
The 26-year-old became the write-his-name-in-Sharpie starter at left-back last year. Could this be a breakout season for the attacker-turned fullback?
MIDFIELDERS

Justin Haak
By Matthew Mangam
The 23-year-old was impressive in the few starts he made last year, and is poised to become the everyday No 6 in 2025.

Andrés Perea
By John Baney
With James Sands gone to Germany and Pascal Jansen in as Head Coach, Perea looks to have a prime opportunity to earn more minutes in 2025. Will he see more than the 12 starts he earned in 2024?

Jacob Arroyave
By Oliver Strand
The 17-year-old was signed to a Homegrown contract last month after impressing the Front Office at NYCFC II last year — and suffering an ACL injury. Arroyave is one for the future.

Keaton Parks
By Andrew Leigh
Parks has turned into a model of consistency but in 2025 the 27-year-old will need to adjust to a new-look midfield and a new set of expectations from a new head coach.

• Maxi Moralez
By Mark Radigan
The club's greatest-ever player returns to the Bronx in 2025. But what role will the 38-year-old Argentine play under new boss Pascal Jansen?

• Máximo Carrizo
By Noah Kassel-Yung
The soon-to-be 17-year-old is ready to make his MLS debut this season. And when he does, we'll get a glimpse of what the New York City FC midfield will look like in the future.
ATTACKERS

Alonso Martínez
By Mark Radigan
Is he a one-season wonder? Or have New York City FC finally found the replacement for Taty Castellanos?

• Julián Fernández
By Andrew Leigh
Last year we saw glimpses of what the 21-year-old Argentine winger is capable of doing. Will Fernández finally establish himself in the lineup this season?

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