Head coach Nick Cushing had nothing but praise for the team’s savior on Saturday, James Sands, who scored his first MLS goal against Inter Miami. The goal helped City avoid back-to-back losses and kept them in the playoff hunt despite a rough run of form. Sands, City’s first homegrown player, also showed that he is more than just the backbone on the team but also has an ability to lift them when it matters most.
“He is our player,” said Cushing following the game. “He is somebody that, this year, has really shown his quality. He wins the most tackles, the most duels and he regains the most balls in MLS and that is a huge thing to have on your team.”
Sands, now 24 years-old, started with City in 2017 before they had established a proper reserve team in either USL or now MLS Next Pro. His development happened on the job four appearances in his first two years before being loaned to Louisville City SC of the USL Championship. From there his efforts earned him a trip to Europe where he played with Glasgow Rangers for two seasons, making 24 league appearances. His return to MLS instantly saw him among Ronny Deila and Nick Cushing’s favorites and he has been a starter ever since.
Saturday’s game saw him take the next step. While not a goal-scorer, it wasn’t that it was his first but how impactful the effort was that stands out the most. City have struggled of late, having not won a game since early July. A loss to Philadelphia earlier in the week saw them falling out of the battle for fourth place. This point helped to keep them in that competition and give them the ability to perhaps leap into a home playoff spot should they beat their rivals New York Red Bulls next week.
“Sometimes these moments are written,” said Cushing. “To score the equalizer against Miami, it’s a really good moment for us but it’s also an opportunity for us.”
Sands and NYCFC will have to realize that potential next week as they will be missing key pieces on offense and defense due to suspension. Sands, a key in the back half of the field, will play a key role in keeping City’s hopes of a return to the playoffs afloat.
photo by Jordan Bank