2025 New York City FC Player Preview: Greg Ranjitsingh
As the 2025 Major League Soccer season approaches, New York City FC is gearing up for what promises to be another exciting year. One of the most intriguing players on the roster heading into the new season is goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh. With a career that has seen significant growth and a solid presence between the posts, Ranjitsingh is poised to make an even greater impact for NYCFC in 2025. Let’s dive into the key factors that could define his season and why the club is counting on him to be a crucial part of their success.
Background and Career Path
Greg Ranjitsingh, a 30-year-old goalkeeper from Mississauga, Ontario, has steadily made a name for himself in MLS. Prior to joining New York City FC, he played for several teams in both the USL Championship and MLS, building a reputation for his shot-stopping ability and command of the penalty area.
Ranjitsingh started his professional career with the Orlando City B team in 2015 before earning a contract with the main Orlando City team. His performances in Orlando earned him recognition, but it was with the Indy Eleven in the USL where he truly made a name for himself. After several strong seasons with Indy, Ranjitsingh made his way to NYCFC, where he has been contributing as a reliable backup goalkeeper and an important part of the team’s depth chart.
As a veteran of the league, Ranjitsingh has had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business and is now at a point in his career where he can be a key contributor for New York City FC. His blend of experience and confidence in goal will make him an asset for the club as they aim for success in the 2025 season.
Strengths and Skill Set
Ranjitsingh’s greatest asset is his shot-stopping ability. He has consistently been recognized for his reflexes and agility, making him a reliable presence when facing powerful shots. Whether it’s diving to stop a close-range effort or reacting quickly to a long-range strike, Ranjitsingh has the technical skills needed to keep opponents at bay. His ability to read the game and anticipate attacking moves is also a key strength, allowing him to position himself well and reduce the angles for attackers.
Another strong suit of Ranjitsingh’s game is his distribution. As modern goalkeepers are increasingly asked to play with their feet, Ranjitsingh has shown an ability to play accurate passes and start the team’s attacks from the back. His ability to quickly transition from defense to attack will be important for NYCFC as they continue to build from the back under head coach Nick Cushing’s tactical approach.
Additionally, Ranjitsingh is a vocal leader on the field. He organizes the defense and helps marshal the backline to ensure that the team remains compact and disciplined when defending. His communication with his defenders will be key in preventing breakdowns in the defensive third, especially as NYCFC prepares to face the league’s most dangerous attacking players.
Role in 2025: Backup or Starter?
Heading into 2025, the question of Ranjitsingh’s role with New York City FC revolves around whether he will continue in a backup capacity or step into a starting role. With the team having a strong starting goalkeeper, Ranjitsingh may be primarily relied upon as a dependable backup, ready to step in if needed due to injury or suspension. However, he will be a crucial asset in the team’s depth, especially during the busy MLS schedule, which requires teams to rotate players to maintain freshness.
Ranjitsingh’s consistency in training and his ability to step into games when called upon has earned him the respect of the coaching staff. Whether he is given more opportunities to start in domestic cup competitions or is called in for league games, he will have an important part to play in ensuring that NYCFC’s goalkeeping situation remains strong throughout the season.
Additionally, Ranjitsingh’s experience could make him an ideal mentor for younger goalkeepers who are part of the team’s development pipeline. With his leadership qualities and extensive experience in MLS, he could be a valuable figure in helping guide the next generation of goalkeepers at the club.
Key to Success in 2025
While NYCFC will undoubtedly rely on their first-choice goalkeeper for most of their league fixtures, Ranjitsingh’s contributions could be crucial in several key areas for the team’s success in 2025:
- Depth and Rotation: As the team competes in multiple competitions (MLS, U.S. Open Cup, etc.), Ranjitsingh will play an important role in providing rest for the starting goalkeeper. His consistency and quality will be crucial when the team needs to rotate players.
- Defensive Stability: Goalkeepers often go unnoticed in terms of their contribution to team defense, but Ranjitsingh’s organizational skills and ability to keep the backline calm under pressure will be vital. His presence will allow NYCFC to focus on their high-pressing, attacking style while knowing they have a dependable keeper behind them.
- Cup Competitions: With the team entering the U.S. Open Cup and potentially other cup competitions, Ranjitsingh will likely play a more prominent role. His performances in these knockout formats could be pivotal in the club’s pursuit of silverware. His experience could prove to be the difference in tight, pressure-packed cup matches.
- Mentorship: Whether as a backup or a starter, Ranjitsingh’s ability to mentor younger goalkeepers in the squad will be essential. His years of professional experience in various leagues will offer invaluable insights and support to any up-and-coming keepers looking to break through into the first team.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Despite his strengths, there are areas in which Ranjitsingh will look to continue improving throughout 2025. While his shot-stopping ability is strong, consistency will be key for him. Like many goalkeepers, maintaining focus and minimizing mistakes is important, especially during high-pressure moments in matches. If Ranjitsingh can eliminate occasional lapses in judgment or communication, he can solidify his place as one of the top backups in the league.
Additionally, while Ranjitsingh has a solid distribution game, he will need to continue refining his ability to play under pressure and make quick decisions when faced with high pressing from opposition forwards. His decision-making in these situations will be crucial, especially as NYCFC is known for trying to play out from the back and maintain possession even when under pressure.