Starts: 11
Minutes: 1,218
Age: 20
Key Stat: 35.7%: The percentage of NYCFC's available MLS minutes played by Ilenič in 2025, his lowest share of minutes in three MLS seasons
Mitja Ilenič made a statement of intent on Matchday 1 of the 2025 season, but by the year's final game he was a little-used substitute who spent most of his summer working his way out of coach Pascal Jansen's proverbial dog house.
The right-fullback's playing time decreased in 2025 under Jansen, with Ilenič playing the fewest minutes in 2025 that he’s played in any of his three seasons in the United States.
The 20-year-old from Slovenia flashed attacking potential when given his opportunities, scoring two goals and picking up two assists, but he was unable to supplant Tayvon Gray as the clear-cut starter at right-back or right-wingback, and it’s now fair to wonder about his future with New York City given his diminishing usage and that given that there’s a new Sporting Director in charge of the club.
Early promise
Tayvon Gray was slowed by injury to start the season, and Ilenič was the beneficiary, starting and scoring a goal in the 2025 season-opener – then hitting Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siu” celebration while sharing the field with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF, bringing the endless online Ronaldo vs Messi debate to life at Chase Stadium.
Mitja Ilenič's 26' goal at Miami | Courtesy MLS/Apple TV
