Big Bird made the fewest appearances and played the fewest minutes since he ascended to the First Team in 2019. We can only guess how many goals involvements – and wins – he would have contributed to this New York City FC squad in 2025.
Now that the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror, here are the final grades for New York City FC players and the front office.
The defensive midfielder is NYCFC's metronome, calm under pressure and smart in possession. He's also soccer's Energizer Bunny, logging 5,044 minutes between playing in Belgium, MLS, and the Australia men's national team.
The season began brightly for the 20-year-old fullback, but he ended 2025 as an unused substitute in 13 of New York City FC's final 20 matches. Will he fight for more minutes in 2026, or is a transfer away up next for Ilenič?
The left back was a locked-in starter for one the best defenses in MLS, and earned his first international call-up in November.
The Pigeon's best attacking wingback in 2024 took major steps to becoming one of the best overall defenders in Major League Soccer in 2025.
The 26-year-old center back, who made just 10 appearances since joining NYCFC in August, is physical, technical — and inconsistent.
It was a career year for the Homegrown, who not only started all 43 NYCFC games this year, and led the team 3,840 minutes, he was among the league elite in blocks, interceptions, and passes.
What Messi winning MLS Cup means for the league, how some of New York City FC's best- and worst-performing players did during the 2025 season, and who got the most favorable groups and games from the World Cup Draw.
His wasn't a perfect season in 2025, but it was another season in which you could consistently call the 30-year-old club captain one of the top center-backs in MLS.
The backup goalkeeper made 5 appearances this season, allowing just 0.71 goals per 90 minutes while comping a record of 3W-0D-2L.
Matt Freese isn't just a standout goalkeeper for New York City FC; the 27-year-old made his USMNT debut this year, and is now the first-choice No 1 heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What stands out about New York City FC's new Sporting Director: His path to becoming a soccer executive, the on-field identity of his Sacramento Republic teams, and how he might handle business at NYCFC.
The HRB crew discusses New York City FC's six-game postseason run — they go over what went right, what didn't, and what the future holds for this young team.
Can NYCFC keep Justin Haak? We look at 17 New York City FC players who might (or might not) be here next year because they're out of contract, have options waiting to be triggered, or could leave on loan.
Will New York City FC's "bulletproof mindset" carry the team through a tough away matchup against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs?
