5 Best New York City FC MLS Players, Ranked

New York City FC was the 20th expansion team to join Major League Soccer, starting play in the 2015 MLS season. 

After a difficult first campaign, the club reached the playoffs the next seven seasons, finishing as Supporters’ Shield runners-up in 2017 and 2019 before finally overcoming their soccer odds to win the MLS Cup in 2021.

Given that team’s place in franchise lore, it makes sense that the group is well represented on my list of the five best New York City FC players of all time.

5 Best New York City FC MLS Players, Ranked

New York City FC All-Time Greatest Players

1. Maxi Moralez

Moralez is New York City FC’s all-time leader in appearances, featuring in over 200 regular-season contests for the club across two stints. 

The Argentine attacking midfielder also holds the club record for assists, racking up 60 helpers before departing briefly for boyhood club Racing, only to return and add to his total over the last few years.

Moralez enjoyed his best statistical season in 2019, leading MLS with 20 assists and earning All-Star and Best XI nods. He helped the club to its first MLS Cup title triumph two years later, converting from 12 yards in the penalty shootout victory over the Portland Timbers. 

2. Valentin Castellanos

Castellanos ranks second on New York City FC’s all-time scoring chart behind David Villa, who has been excluded from this list due to his off-field conduct.

The Argentine forward, known as “Taty,” scored 53 goals and recorded 19 assists in 116 MLS appearances across the regular season and playoffs.

Castellanos’ most significant contributions came during the MLS Cup-winning 2021 campaign, as he led the league with 19 goals and added eight assists. He continued that strong play during the playoff run, scoring three more goals, including NYCFC’s lone tally in regulation against Portland.

He also scored in the penalty shootout, capping a stunning campaign with the MLS Cup, the Golden Boot, and an MLS Best XI inclusion. 

3. Sean Johnson

The veteran MLS goalkeeper made more than 200 appearances for NYCFC over six seasons, taking over as the club’s No. 1 in 2017 after a pair of trades saw him swap Chicago for New York.

Johnson cemented his status as a club legend in the 2021 MLS Cup Final, saving the first two penalties in the shootout win against Portland, earning MLS Cup MVP honours in the process.

He kept 54 regular-season clean sheets during his stint with New York City and earned an All-Star bid in 2022, during a campaign where he finished second in the league with 14 shutouts.

4. Maxime Chanot

Chanot’s presence probably didn’t affect NYCFC’s MLS odds at sports betting sites, but there’s no denying that the team was better with him in it.

The French centre back struck up a strong partnership with Alex Callens, providing a sturdy defensive foundation in front of Johnson and allowing players like Moralez and Castellanos to flourish up front.

Chanot ranks third on the club’s all-time appearances list, playing nearly 200 games for the club before leaving in 2023.

5. Alex Ring

Ring served as New York City FC’s second captain, taking over the armband in 2019 and helping the club to a franchise-record 64-point tally that season.

Unfortunately, the Finnish defensive midfielder missed out on the MLS Cup triumph after being traded to Austin FC in December 2020.

Still, Ring was a productive member of the team for four seasons, making 120 regular-season appearances and recording 10 goals and 13 assists.