Sands shines again

Jimmy Sands was lauded as NYCFC’s future No. 6 last year when he impressed in a late-season start in 2018. The club’s first-ever homegrown signing has, in fact, started in that spot for the first two games of the 2019 season and the 18-year-old has been among the bright spots for Torrent and his coaching staff.

“He played amazing for me today,” Torrent said. “He controlled all the time [Luciano] Acosta and [Wayne] Rooney, he’s a clever player for us.”

Sands, who joined Alex Ring as part of a double No. 6 in Torrent’s 4-2-3-1 formation, would likely have been the Man of the Match if not for a spectacular performance by Sean Johnson in the NYCFC net.

In a 90-minute shift, Sands had five tackles, four interceptions, two blocks and a clearance. He won 66.7 percent of his duels and 83.3 percent of his aerial duels, while touching the ball 75 times.

“He’s made a step from last year,” Ring said. “He had a couple of games in the fall where he played really good and now he has to seize the opportunity. You have to prove yourself every day in practice, every day in games and he’s doing well. I’m proud of him.”