New York City Football Club is pleased to announce that James Sands has been named the Club’s 2021 Young Player of the Year.
Sands played 26 times in the regular season for the MLS Cup Champions and featured in all four postseason games on the way to his first major club trophy.
The 21-year-old made NYCFC history when he became our first-ever Homegrown player in June 2017.
He made his professional debut for the Boys in Blue three months later in September against the Colorado Rapids – substituting into the game for Andrea Pirlo.
Establishing himself in the first team over the coming years, the 2021 campaign has seen Sands go from strength to strength for both club and country.
Comfortable slotting in at several different positions including fullback, center back, and center midfield, Sands has been key to the team’s ability to switch between formations this season.
That trait alongside strong club form saw him catch the attention of U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.
Berhalter selected Sands as part of his 2021 Gold Cup roster in July, and handed the native of Rye his senior international debut against Haiti in the group stage.
From there Sands became a mainstay of the Gold Cup team, playing every minute of the tournament and helping the United States record a famous 1-0 victory against Mexico in the final.
Since returning to the Bronx he has maintained that momentum and utilized his composure on the ball and his versatility to give NYCFC protection at the back as they secured the Club’s first ever MLS Cup earlier this month.
The Club would like to congratulate James on his hard work and success in 2021 as well as his efforts in helping to make Club history in 2021.
