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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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – April 11: Ismael Tajouri-Shradi #29 of New York City celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the New York City FC Vs Real Salt Lake regular season MLS game at Yankee Stadium on April 11, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – April 11: Ismael Tajouri-Shradi #29 of New York City celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the New York City FC Vs Real Salt Lake regular season MLS game at Yankee Stadium on April 11, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /

2. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi

In just his first season in Major League Soccer, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi showed very quickly that he’s comfortable in the Bronx. The winger stepped up when the team needed it most, scoring goals consistently when teammate David Villa was out through injury.

Tajouri-Shradi finished the season as City’s second highest goalscorer, putting 11 past opposing keepers in his 27 appearances. The 24 year-old displayed his ability to not only work with teammates with ease, but to strike the ball as well.

On several occasions in 2018 Tajouri-Shradi was the team’s biggest threat. In New York’s 3-2 August win in Toronto Tajouri-Shradi scored twice, one of them being the game’s winner in stoppage time. The winger had two more multi goal games, carrying City to a draw in New England and a 3-0 victory when Orlando visited Yankee Stadium.

What makes 2019 so important for Ismael Tajouri-Shradi is that it is his chance to prove he can contribute for an entire season. We’ve seen him perform when called upon but heading into the new campaign, that necessity for goals will last all 34 games.

Tajouri-Shradi has certainly earned his name a starting spot on opening day down in Orlando but he’ll have to keep his 2018 form up to hold onto it and help the team reach the postseason.

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