Future Watch: James Sands Soccer Cards – NYCFC – As Major League Soccer takes back to the pitch with their “MLS is Back” tournament beginning July 8th, keep an eye on the games for NYCFC. The club begins their group play on July 9th against Philadelphia Union. One player in particular to watch out for is NYCFC’s midfielder/defender James Sands.
Sands, who turns 20 just before the tournament starts, is a force in the middle for City. He can play along the backline very capably but I believe his future is in the central midfield. Sands has good size at 6’1” 185 lbs and is very smooth in possession. He has an array of skills you often do not see in destroyer-types in the defensive mid. He is quick, has good speed and uses his size well.
Sands’ vision is also impressive. He does not rush when he’s on the football and has a good feel for the pace of games. He is also strong in the air and can quietly control matches.
If you want statistics look elsewhere. Sands has yet to record an MLS goal or assist. After signing with NYCFC as a Homegrown player in June, 2017, he has made 25 appearances including 19 last year in his breakout season. I do believe the passing ability and skill is there for him to begin to accumulate assists for his club. It remains to be seen if Sands settles into the midfield or defense as his career progresses.
Sands played extensively for the U.S. U-17 team during his youth career. He was named to the Best XI at the CONCACAF U-17 Championships in 2017. He has yet to receive a cap with the U.S. Men’s National team.
Currently, James Sands has cards in 2019 Topps MLS.
Future Watch: James Sands Soccer Cards – NYCFC – Stats
| Playing Time | Performance | Per 90 Minutes | Expected | Per 90 Minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Age | Squad | Country | Comp | LgRank | MP | Starts | Min | Gls | Ast | PK | PKatt | CrdY | CrdR | Gls | Ast | G+A | G-PK | G+A-PK | xG | npxG | xA | xG | xA | xG+xA | npxG | npxG+xA | Matches |
| 2017 | 16 | NYCFC | us USA | 1. MLS | 2nd | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | Matches | ||||||||
| 2018 | 17 | Louisville City | us USA | 2. USL | 3rd | 3 | 3 | 270 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 0.33 | Matches | ||||||||
| 2018 | 17 | NYCFC | us USA | 1. MLS | 7th | 3 | 3 | 220 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.07 | 0.09 | Matches |
| 2019 | 18 | NYCFC | us USA | 1. MLS | 2nd | 19 | 18 | 1,485 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | Matches |
| 2020 | 19 | NYCFC | us USA | 1. MLS | 26th | 2 | 2 | 180 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | Matches |
| 4 Seasons | 2 Clubs | 2 Leagues | 28 | 26 | 2,179 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.00 | 0.04 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | ||||
| Country | Comp | LgRank | MP | Starts | Min | Gls | Ast | PK | PKatt | CrdY | CrdR | Gls | Ast | G+A | G-PK | G+A-PK | xG | npxG | xA | xG | xA | xG+xA | npxG | npxG+xA | Matches | |||
| NYCFC (4 Seasons) | 1 League | 25 | 23 | 1,909 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | |||||
| Louisville City (1 Season) | 1 League | 3 | 3 | 270 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 0.33 | |||||||||||||
| MLS (4 Seasons) | 25 | 23 | 1,909 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | ||||||
| USL (1 Season) | 3 | 3 | 270 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 0.33 | ||||||||||||||
Future Watch: James Sands Soccer Cards – NYCFC – More Resources
- ESPN.com Player Profile – James Sands
- James Sands – Secondary Market Pricing
- Beckett Card Catalog – James Sands Soccer Cards
Future Watch: James Sands Soccer Cards – NYCFC – Image Gallery
For more from Dave Denholm, follow him on Twitter @TalkSoccer.
Hosted afternoon sports talk show for two different Los Angeles sports talk stations. Pre/Post game radio host for various sports teams including the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Angels, USC Football and UCLA basketball.
Currently on air at NBC sports radio, ESPN, Total Traffic & Weather Network and Fox sports.
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