Starts: 30
Minutes: 2,649
Age: 23
Key Stat: 90th percentile for successful tackles of all MLS right-backs (59)
Tayvon Gray made great strides defensively in 2025, offering support on the flank for one of the top defenses in the Eastern Conference.
Coming off a career year in 2024, when the Jamaican international made eight goal contributions across 33 matches, expectations were sky high heading into the Pascal Jansen Era. Gray met those expectations head-on, developing into one of Major League Soccer’s best defensive right-backs.
Making 38 appearances across MLS, Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, and MLS Cup Playoffs, Gray started 30 matches from right back and, on occasion, right center back in a back three formation.
Despite missing the first four matches of the season due to injury, Gray still put up the seventh-most minutes in the New York City squad, with his versatility and keen eye for a tackle making him a mainstay on Jansen’s team sheet.
Stepping up on defense
Gray was New York City’s best attacking defender in 2024, leading the squad in assists (7) and finishing fifth in total goal contributions (8). While the Jamaican was outstanding going forward, his contributions on defense left a great deal to be desired.
The expectation was that, under new boss Pascal Jansen, the former academy talent would sure up his defensive woes and become a key part of the Dutchman’s defensive machine.
And that’s exactly what happened.
After finishing 2024 in the 68th percentile of all MLS fullbacks for successful tackles (41) and 55th percentile for duels won (78), Gray completely revitalized his game defensively, finishing 2025 in the 90th percentile for successful tackles (59) and 87th percentile for duels won (143).
Beyond that, Gray also saw a significant uptick in his number of blocked shots (10), aerial duels won (34), and total recoveries made (118).
Though his improvements defensively did come at the expense of his output in the offseason, recording zero goal contributions this season, the Pigeons as a squad scored just four fewer goals (50) than in 2024 (54), while conceding five fewer (44) than the previous campaign (49).
Versatility on full display
Yet one of the key reasons beyond his defensive improvements that made Gray so indispensable for Jansen in 2025 was the Jamaican’s versatility and ability to fill different roles across the backline.
Outside of operating as one of the premier right-backs in MLS, Gray has stepped in as an auxiliary center-back on numerous occasions for the Pigeons, even making four starts as part of a back-three formation this season alongside the likes of Thiago Martins, Justin Haak, and Raul Gustavo.
And in this role, Gray has played rather well, with New York City putting up a record of 2W-1D-1L over those four starts, including a clean sheet vs FC Cincinnati and a pesky draw at Nashville SC.
Through his first campaign, Jansen has proved his desire to fill his squad with versatile players capable of taking on multiple roles and positions depending on the opponent. Players such as Nico Fernández Mercau, Andrés Perea, Hannes Wolf, Kevin O’Toole, along with Haak and Gray, provide Jansen with tactical flexibility and creativity. It keeps opposing clubs on their toes, unsure of how to approach New York City on a given week.
This gave the Pigeons an edge over numerous teams over the course of the season, and paid dividends during the MLS Cup Playoffs.
A crucial part of the machine
Pascal Jansen’s New York City side boasted one of the best defenses in MLS in 2025, conceding the third-fewest goals in the conference and the seventh-fewest in the league. Gray was at the center of this well-oiled machine.
The Bronx native was a consistent veteran force at the back while the backline underwent a series of injuries and roster changes, with his performances in the playoffs in particular critical to the Pigeons’ successful steps forward in 2025.
Though Gray did not feature for the Jamaican national team in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup this past year – the Reggae Boyz are still in with a shout to make the tournament via the inter-confederation playoffs in March 2026 – after being left in the cold by boss Steve McClaren. But with the Englishman stepping down from his role as manager after failing to directly qualify for next summer’s tournament, Gray’s fortune may change.
If he continues to produce defensively under Jansen and can get back to the prolifically creative form fans witnessed in 2024, Gray just might announce his name on the world stage next summer.
One of my favorite players on the squad. Fearless, tenacious, and he gives no f*$s!