Here are your nominees for the Etihad Player of the Month for September 2024.
Alonso Martinez
The Costa Rican forward has been in fine form this season and found the net three times in September.
Martínez scored his first goal against Philadelphia during an unfortunate home loss but rebounded well to produce a memorable performance in the Hudson River Derby.
Two goals in the first half helped City go in 4-1 up at the break, with Martínez’s speed, intelligence, and finishing ability on show at Red Bull Arena. For his first goal, he latched on to a poor back pass and raced away from Andrés Reyes before calmly slotting the ball past Carlos Coronel.
His second displayed his instincts as a forward. Martínez found a yard of space inside the area and used that opportunity to slam the ball past Coronel in emphatic style.
The Costa Rican international will be hopeful of finding a few more goals before the regular season is over, with his quality in front of goal, and hard work off the ball, a major factor in driving the team forward.
James Sands
The midfielder enjoyed a memorable September for City as he notched his first professional goal for the Club and enjoyed a huge victory against the Red Bulls.
A stoppage-time equalizer against Inter Miami saw Sands secure a point for City, with his powerful header causing an eruption of noise at Yankee Stadium.
Seven days later, he was an instrumental figure in City’s 5-1 victory over the Red Bulls. Lining up in midfield alongside Keaton Parks, his combative but composed performance helped City control the middle of the field and ultimately leave with all three points.
Discipline has also been a major part of Sands’ success in September. The midfielder was on four yellow cards heading into the Miami game, but he stayed out of the referee’s notebook and was able to play in all of City’s league games in September.
Santiago Rodríguez
A constant figure on the Player of the Month ballot, Santiago Rodríguez again helped City claim vital points in September.
It was his audacious penalty against D.C. United that secured City a point on the road. Rodríguez turned provider when Miami visited New York with an assist for James Sands’ injury-time equalizer.
A dangerous dribbler that causes havoc in the final third, Rodríguez diligence and hard work off the ball also help out his team when they need it most.
Currently, on nine league goals this season, he will be hopeful of breaking into double figures before the regular season is over.
