NYCFC has yet to truly take over MLS as the league and the team expected back in 2015 when they kicked off. Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, and Frank Lampard were the three big names the City Group were banking on to elevate the club to the MLS elite. That did not happen.
After their first season the team changed coaches and under Patrick Vieira the club fell short of making that big splash despite having some very good seasons. Domènec Torrent’s tenure was seen as a seesaw era in which the club looked like a championship team and then looked down and out.
Now under Ronny Deila the club has adopted a much more youthful philosophy, but fans are wondering when NYCFC’s owners will dish out some extra cash to put the team over the top and finally deliver MLS’s first ever New York champion. Nonetheless there have been players that have left their mark on the team and continue to do so, here are the best NYCFC players ever!
10. Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo (Getty)
Andrea Pirlo came to MLS with a pedigree that few possess, winner of a World Cup and 15 titles with A.C. Milanand Juventus. The Italian maestro was past his prime, but he was elegant on the ball and a true professional. Pirlo was an example and brought instant credibility to a new franchise.
9. Maxime Chanot
Maxime Chanot (Getty)
The French defender, Maxime Chanot, has been a solid addition at the back for NYCFC, with 98 games for the club, Chanot is a leader at the back and he was named defender of the year for NYCFC in 2019 and is considered one of the best in MLS.
8. Rónald Matarrita
Rónald Matarrita (Getty)
The Costa Rican left back has been a rock and center piece of the NYCFC defense since his arrival in 2016. Rónald Matarrita has played in 106 games and has scored 4 goals. He was the team’s defensive player of the year in 2016.
7. Valentin Castellanos
Valentin Castellanos (Getty)
The Argentine has been at NYCFC for three seasons, and he is only 22 years old. A great story, Valentin Castellanos was playing in Torque in Uruguay when he caught the City Group’s eye. He signed for NYCFC in 2018 and has scored 18 goals in 60 games. A quick and improving player Castellanos has a huge upside, given that he is on the Argentinean youth teams and on their radar. MLS and NYCFC are waiting for that breakout year for Valentin Castellanos.
6. Jack Harrison
Jack Harrison (Getty)
Jack Harrison exploded on the scene in 2016 and came into his own as the team was going through big league growing pains. Harrison improved game after game and scored 14 goals in 54 games. Harrison was considered a high commodity for the City Group and bought his MLS contract and for the last two seasons he has been one of Leeds United’s best players, and it all started in NYCFC.
5. Héber
Héber (Getty)
The Brazilian Héber came to New York in 2019 and while he may not be a big name, especially considering that David Villa was the team’s first mega superstar. Nonetheless his first season he scored 15 goals and in 2020 his year was cut short due to injury. We will see in 2021 if he can pick up where he left off in 2019.
4. Sean Johnson
Sean Johnson (Getty)
Sean Johnson has been one of the steadiest goalkeepers in MLS, he was one of the best goalkeepers in the league when he was with the Chicago Fire and he was brought to NYCFC in 2017. Johnson has played 116 games for the club and has the position locked down.
3. Alexander Ring
Alexander Ring (Getty)
The former NYCFC captain after David Villa, arrived at NYCFC in 2017 and played 113 games for the club. Voted as one of the league’s best newcomers in 2017, Ring was a rock in the middle and was recently sold to Austin FC for $1.25 million in General Allocation Money.
2. Maxi Moralez
Maxi Moralez (Getty)
Maximiliano Moralez came to NYCFC with little fanfare a relatively unknown player despite his resume playing in Argentina, Mexico, Italy, and Russia. Moralez has been the man to pull the strings in the middle for City. Moralez has played 104 games and scored 21 goals and has produced some highlight reel plays for the team. Today, there is no question that Maxi Moralez is the second-best player in team history.
1.David Villa
David Villa (Getty)
David Villa is one the greatest players to ever grace an MLS team, the World Cup winning striker scored 77 goals in 117. Villa’s quality was evident in every game he played, a team leader and an example for the players on the field. His MLS legacy, for now, is unmatched. Unfortunately, in recent weeks there has been allegations of improper conduct towards a female intern at the club that may tarnish his legacy.
