Although it’s not his forte, James Sands is tasked with being more vocal in his second season as a regular starter for New York City FC.
The 19-year-old is talking more at training, in games and in interviews. He’s also speaking up about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many, including thousands in Westchester County, where he resides.
“It's definitely not easy for me. I don’t think it's been easy for everyone, but everyone just has to do their part. They can only control so much and that's just staying at home and staying inside,” Sands told MLSsoccer.com. “Obviously, New York has been hit harder so far than the other places, but I think the hospital workers and grocery store workers are incredible in New York and they're doing a great job keeping us up on our feet.”
With the numbers of those infected rising to unfathomable levels daily in New York, it’s hit close to home for Sands. A member of the NYCFC sporting department had coronavirus and the virus' reach is so wide-ranging that if you don’t know someone directly, you know someone who knows someone.
“You definitely know someone or a friend of a friend. But what you do is, you just try and stay in contact with them, see if they need anything from afar,” Sands said. “I think the thing that helps people the most is just staying in contact, it can be a little overwhelming if you're just by yourself. So if you just stay talking to people, I think that's the best way to get through this.”
Sands gets to enjoy somewhat of a family reunion at his parents’ Rye, N.Y., home during this unprecedented season stoppage. His twin brother Will is back from his freshman year at Georgetown, where he helped lead the Hoyas to the NCAA Division I title, as is sister Lizzy, who played soccer at Bowdoin in Maine.
Sands also has the luxury of a spacious backyard where he can juggle or get some few touches in.
“I always try and look at the positive things,” Sands said. “And while there's not a lot going on right now, being with my whole family, it doesn't happen that much anymore. So that's something I really, really enjoy.”
Getting Sands to have a louder voice on the team, which is no small feat, was practically a preseason mandate by new NYCFC coach Ronny Deila. He knew how important Sands had become on the field, but saw the soft-spoken teen often defer to older players, such as Maxime Chanot, Alex Ring and Sean Johnson.
“That was one of the big things that he wanted me to focus on. And I think that's really great,” Sands said. “It’s always been something that, since I've been little, coaches have told me that’s something I need to work on. But he's really the first one who's kind of put a little bit of pressure on me to make it happen.”
Sands has come to terms with how communication is critical, whether he's in central midfield or central defense. That wasn’t always the case when he saw limited minutes during his first two seasons after becoming the club’s first Homegrown signing in 2017.
Sands credits Chanot for pushing him to be more vocal.
“I think it's really hard, as a young player if you're not playing so often, you don't always feel like you're part of the essential group of guys. So it can be a little hard to speak your mind sometimes,” said Sands. “But having these games under my belt has really helped me and it's just something I continue to work on every day.”
Sands has also been more willing to show emotion on the field. Getting in the face of Tigres UANL goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman during the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals is a prime example.
“Yeah, that was interesting,” Sands said. “I was told by some of my coaches and teammates that was kind of his thing. He tries to get in people's heads. At that point, we were playing well, we were in the front seat in that game, so what’s there to be nervous about or afraid about? You’ve just got to play.
“In that moment, I didn't feel afraid or anything and didn't back down. I think it comes off as a good thing. It gives everyone else a little bit of confidence. I’m happy, looking back on it, it happened that way."
Autore: Stefano Bentivogli
Other news - Focus
Other news
- 14:00 Mario Balotelli to MLS? Alessio Sundas Pushes for NYCFC Move in Bold Career Revival Bid
- 12:00 Etihad Player of the Month | Thiago Martins Scoops May Award
- 10:00 Italian Agent Alessio Sundas Aims to Revolutionize MLS with European Talent
- 08:06 Eight City Players Called Up for International Duty in June
- 12:30 Alessio Sundas Eyes MLS Revolution: After Balotelli, Gattuso Could Be Next
- 01:09 Hannes Wolf’s Late Heroics Rescue 2-2 Draw for NYCFC in Thrilling Comeback Against Nashville SC
- 19:00 NYCFC Aim to Reset vs. Nashville: “Time to Show Consistency” Says Jansen
- 18:00 Jansen Eyes Strong Start vs. Nashville: “Scoring First Changes Everything”
- 17:00 NYCFC Aim to Bounce Back Against Nashville SC: Jansen Calls for a Return to Identity
- 16:44 Mario Balotelli Eyes MLS Move: A New American Dream in the Works?
- 06:00 Injury Woes for NYCFC Ahead of Houston Clash: Four Key Players Ruled Out
- 04:00 Jansen Stresses Training Ground Mentality as Key to NYCFC Lineup Choices
- 02:00 NYCFC Gets Injury Boost as Keaton Parks Returns, but Caution Remains for Key Players
- 23:00 Jansen’s NYCFC Looks to Build Momentum With Big Night Under the Lights
- 22:20 Seymour Reid Signs Homegrown Deal With NYCFC – A Star in the Making Joins the First Team
- 14:00 Can NYCFC Ride the Momentum? Quick Turnaround Offers Opportunity Against Houston
- 12:00 NYCFC Extends Unbeaten Streak vs. Chicago Fire with Another Statement Win
- 09:51 Mounsef Bakrar Silences Doubts with Crucial Goal in NYCFC Comeback
- 16:00 NYCFC eye momentum: a pivotal home clash to spark an eastern conference climb
- 14:00 Chaos vs. Control: NYCFC and Chicago Fire Set for Explosive Showdown at Yankee Stadium
- 12:00 NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire: Can the Boys in Blue End Chicago’s Scorching Run at Yankee Stadium?
- 10:54 NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire: Key Absences for Jansen’s Side Ahead of Crucial MLS Clash
- 16:00 NYCFC Trio Named to Preliminary Gold Cup Rosters Ahead of Summer Tournament
- 14:00 NYCFC’s Push for Consistency Could Unlock Top-Four Potential in the East
- 03:00 Donald Trump Reacts to NYCFC's New $780M Stadium in Queens During UAE Visit
- 00:01 Why NYCFC Should Start Managing Maxi Moralez’s Minutes More Carefully
- 22:51 NYCFC Extends James Sands’ Loan to FC St. Pauli Through 2026
- 22:49 Why Pascal Jansen Should Consider Resting Maxi Moralez More Often at NYCFC
- 03:00 Jansen Praises Etihad Player of the Month Keaton Parks: “A Key Piece in Our Midfield”
- 01:00 NYCFC Brace for Cincinnati Clash: Jansen Outlines Plan to Stop Evander
- 23:20 NYCFC Hit with Injury Setbacks Ahead of Cincinnati Clash
- 22:53 Pascal Jansen Ready for Packed May Schedule: “This Is What You Live For”
- 19:00 Jansen Calls for Sharpness After NYCFC's 2-0 Defeat: "We Weren’t Good Enough in the Final Third"
- 18:00 MLS 2025: Market Giants Revealed – Messi and Puig Lead the Pack
- 16:00 NYCFC’s Road Form Is a Disaster. And No One Seems to Have an Answer
- 15:28 NYCFC’s Road Struggles Continue in 2-0 Loss to New England, Pascal Jansen: "The Quality Wasn’t There"
- 15:21 NYCFC Fall to New England for First Time Since 2022: "We Need to Be Better," Says Thiago Martins
- 15:08 Inter Miami Edge Columbus Crew 1-0 as Messi and Co. Shine in Front of 60,000 Fans
- 15:06 NYCFC Signs Forward Zidane Yañez to Short-Term Agreement Amid Rising Trajectory
- 15:05 NYCFC Fall 2-0 to New England Revolution Despite Late Push
- 16:00 Set-Piece Specialists: NYCFC Must Stay Sharp as Revolution Rely on Dead Ball Magic
- 14:00 NYCFC Return to Familiar Foe: Round Two Against Revs Promises Another Fight
- 08:45 NYCFC Aim to Turn the Corner: Road Test at New England Offers Momentum Check
- 15:00 Jansen Challenges NYCFC to Turn Control into Goals: “We Need to Do More with the Ball”
- 08:10 Jansen Rallies NYCFC Ahead of Union Clash: “No Excuses—We Perform, No Matter What”
- 14:19 NYCFC to Host Minnesota United Without Four Key Players
- 13:18 Pascal Jansen Emphasizes Control and Resilience Ahead of NYCFC Clash with Minnesota United
- 14:00 NYCFC Aims for Back-to-Back Wins Against Struggling Revolution
- 12:00 NYCFC vs. New England Revolution: Match Preview & Player Availability
- 10:42 NYCFC Prepares for Milestone Match Against New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium