Here are your nominees for the Etihad Player of the Month for June 2024.
Thiago Martins
The talented defender has been a rock at the back for City this season and was once again a vocal leader on the pitch.
Selected as an MLS All-Star, it is a testament to his continued high standards on the field. A dogged defender who also looks to help build City’s attack from the back, he produced a number of big defensive moments during the month of June.
Respected by his teammates for his leadership, Martins helped deny opposition strikers on a number of occasions and was a major figure as City beat Orlando City SC at Yankee Stadium at the end of the month.
Martins is consistently the man to sweep up the ball and recycle possession for City, making him a stalwart at the back.
Tayvon Gray
Gray has been a key cog in City’s starting XI in June.
A defender by trade, his 1v1 defending skills have helped City on countless occasions as he seeks to shut down his opponent with regularity.
At the other end of the field, Gray registered his third and fourth assists of the campaign against Orlando. His first of the night saw his dogged determination to chase down a loose ball rewarded. His low cross to Hannes Wolf allowed the Austrian to convert.
For his second assist, Gray’s well-timed run in behind and composed pass across the box found Agustín Ojeda free in the middle of the goal. A talented young player that is flourishing this season, Gray will be keen to show more attacking influence as the season progresses.
Santiago Rodríguez
Rodríguez enjoyed another strong month for City fresh off claiming the prize for the last three consecutive months.
Goalscoring was the theme of Rodríguez’s performances in June. Against the Columbus Crew he produced a wonderful goal in an unfortunate 3-2 defeat. Linking up with Maxi Moralez, the Uruguayan plucked the ball from out of the sky before rounding the goalkeeper and tapping it home.
Rounding out June with a second goal of the month, his rasping drive from effort sparked the contest into life and helped City claim all three points against Orlando.
That total took Rodríguez to eight goals for the season – far and away his best return in a City shirt to date. With 12 goal involvements so far this season, the forward will be eager to build on that in the games that remain.
