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New York City FC: 5 key players in 2019

By Cameron Albert

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - October 31: Maximiliano Moralez #10 of New York City is congratulated by team mates Anton Tinnerholm #3 of New York City, Ebenezer Ofori #12 of New York City and Alexander Ring #8 of New York City after scoring his sides third goal during the New York City FC Vs Philadelphia Union MLS Eastern Conference Knockout match at Yankee Stadium on October 31st, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - October 31: Maximiliano Moralez #10 of New York City is congratulated by team mates Anton Tinnerholm #3 of New York City, Ebenezer Ofori #12 of New York City and Alexander Ring #8 of New York City after scoring his sides third goal during the New York City FC Vs Philadelphia Union MLS Eastern Conference Knockout match at Yankee Stadium on October 31st, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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BRONX, NY – JULY 14: Jesus Medina #19 of New York City celebrates his goal in the 2nd half of the match during the Major League Soccer match between New York City FC and Columbus Crew at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York. New York City FC won the match with a score of 2 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – JULY 14: Jesus Medina #19 of New York City celebrates his goal in the 2nd half of the match during the Major League Soccer match between New York City FC and Columbus Crew at Yankee Stadium on July 14, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York. New York City FC won the match with a score of 2 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

4. Jesus Medina

Although Jesus Medina didn’t necessarily reach the expectations set upon him by fans fully, there was plenty of promise shown. Signed as a Designated Player ahead of the 2018 MLS season, Medina would go on to certainly contribute throughout the year, scoring six goals and tallying seven assist, however there was a lot more wanted from him.

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The Paraguayan winger showed glimpses of extreme quality in games but lacked the ability to continue that for an entire 90 minutes. Competition with teammates Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Jo Inge Berget saw Medina make several appearances off the bench during the season and a hamstring injury left him sidelined for six games.

Although the departures of David Villa and Berget certainly see Medina locking down a starting spot, there are two more candidates for the winger position. Other than Tajouri-Shradi, Jonathan Lewis and recent signing Alexandru Mitriță are also running for starting time. The former is not only impressing for the USMNT, but is earning interest from other MLS sides while the latter’s price tag could do the talking for him.

If Medina is able to pick up form and link with City’s other forwards, the team’s attack will have no problems. With a year under his belt, Medina has adopted NYCFC’s style of play and consistently pairing with the likes if Maxi Moralez and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi would not only benefit his game, but the team’s as well.

The competition on the wings for New York City FC will force players to impress when they take the field, which is a good problem to have indeed.

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