Biography

BIOGRAPHY

James Sands was born July 6, 2000, in Rye, New York. He is a midfielder in Major League Soccer.

He joined the New York Soccer Club, an affiliate team of New York City, at the age of 10. In 2015, he joined New York City after the inception of the Under-16 Academy side, alongside his twin brother, Will Sands. In January 2017, Sands became the first Academy player to be included in the New York City roster for pre-season. On June 27, 2017, he signed his first professional contract to begin on July 1. The deal made him the club's first ever homegrown player. Sands made his professional debut on September 16, 2017, coming on as a substitute for Andrea Pirlo in a 1–1 draw against Colorado Rapids.

In 2019, Sands has been a regular starter for NYCFC, first as a defensive midfielder, and then as the central defender in a three-man back line once the Pigeons switched formations. In 2021, NYCFC would defeat the Portland Timbers to win the MLS Cup.