Here are your nominees for the Etihad Player of the Month for March 2024.
Santiago Rodríguez
Rodríguez has once again been an influential presence in the final third for City in 2024.
His hard work off the ball is matched with creativity on it as he looks to spark things into life in attack. March saw Rodríguez record his first goals of the 2024 campaign, starting with a well-taken strike against Portland Timbers in a 2-1 defeat.
Eager to surpass his total from last year, he took a step toward that goal after producing a memorable strike one week later against Toronto FC.
City were 1-0 down when Rodríguez stood over a freekick some 25 yards out. Wrapping his foot around the ball, his brilliant strike tied the game and gave fans a memory to last a lifetime.
Kevin O’Toole
The 25-year-old has made a big impression since joining the Club as part of the MLS SuperDraft in 2022.
His development as a left-back – a position he had played early in his career – has been a testament to O’Toole’s hard work and diligence.
The defender has been ever-present in the starting XI in 2024 and scored his first goal for the Club during City’s 2-1 win against Toronto FC.
O’Toole’s run from deep and bullet header handed City a 2-1 win on the night and capped a memorable March for the left back.
Matt Freese
The man between the posts has come up big on many occasions already this season for New York City FC.
His presence in goal and consistent shot-stopping abilities have afforded his teammates a solid base to build upon.
Perhaps his finest outing for City in March came against Inter Miami CF when he deservedly collected the Player of the Match award.
The Boys in Blue recorded a 1-1 draw in Florida thanks in no small part to Freese’s heroics. The goalkeeper denied forward Luis Suarez several times, earning him a spot in the MLS Team of the Week.
