Here are your nominees for the Etihad Player of the Month for May 2024.
Alonso Martínez
The Costa Rican forward has enjoyed a wonderful month with New York City FC – registering four goals in the league.
The first of those goals came at Subaru Park against Philadelphia Union, with Martínez breaking the deadlock after two minutes.
His well-taken finish from close range helped City record a vital 2-1 win on the road and helped stretch City’s unbeaten run to two games.
A subsequent strong cameo against the New England Revolution helped City to another road win before he finished the month in sensational style against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Arriving on the field with the game at 1-1, Martínez recorded a ten-minute hat trick against the Quakes as City ran out 5-1 winners on the night.
Starting in the 85th minute with a composed finish inside the box, his second goal owed much to his relentless pressing as he pounced on a loose ball to race through and score. Martínez then secured the match ball with a poacher’s finish from close range to round off a huge month for the 25-year-old.
Santiago Rodriguez
The talented playmaker continues to shine in a City shirt and once again provided game-changing moments during May.
The Uruguayan stepped up when his team needed him and never more so than when they visited Toronto FC. His 5th-minute penalty helped City record their first road win of the season which also kicked off a brilliant five-game unbeaten run.
Assisting Alonso Martínez several days later in Philadelphia, Rodríguez’s creativity and close control continue to make him a nightmare for defenders across the league.
Playing a role in City’s opener against the Red Bulls, he then finished the month with a goal and an assist against the San Jose Earthquakes. Now sitting on six goals this season, it represents Rodríguez’s best return in a City shirt.
Hannes Wolf
The Austrian midfielder enjoyed arguably his finest month in a City shirt in May.
A relentless pressing presence, Wolf’s strong showings started in Toronto where he was involved in all three of City’s at BMO Field. His dribbling and eye for a pass helped carve TFC open and deliver the first road win of the season for Nick Cushing’s men.
A devilish freekick in City’s next outing against the Philadelphia Union helped Cushing’s side claim a narrow win at Subaru Park, with his work off the ball once again proving valuable.
Far from done, Wolf notched his first Hudson River Derby goal against the Red Bulls in May with a well-taken finish inside the area. With City needing a go-ahead goal in the second half, Wolf played a role in helping create Mounsef Bakrar’s game-winner, with another tireless performance helping City secure three points.
Finishing May in strong form, Wolf scored his third goal of the season against the San Jose Earthquakes. Arriving in the box at the perfect time, he calmly tucked the ball past the goalkeeper after Santiago Rodríguez found him in space.
