Will Sands

NER

• #23 • Left Back

Will Sands

NER

• #23 • Left Back

Nationality

United States of America

Position (Secondary)

LB (RB)

Role

Balanced Full Back

Birthdate (Age)

Jul 6, 2000 (26)

Preferred Foot

Left

Height

5'10"

Weight

150 lb

Club

New England

League

Major League Soccer

Ranking

Major League Soccer

2026 All matches

Overall grade

76.4

86/758

Impact score

6.8

344/758

Defender rank

35th

35/296

All rank

170th

170/758

Grades

Key Grades

2026 Major League Soccer

Overall

27th/298 DEF

76.4

Passing

128th/298 DEF

69.1

Crossing

50th/230 DEF

64.8

Ball Carrying

58th/266 DEF

1 V 1 Defending

12th/294 DEF

83.1

Positioning

65th/298 DEF

76.8

Overall Grades by game

2026 Major League Soccer

Metrics

Key Metrics

2026 Major League Soccer

Appearances

2106

Minutes

Goals

Assists

Upcoming matches

Full TimeEastern Conference

New York City

1-2

New England

Citi Field • MLS Pass on Apple TV

Sep 10, 2026

Sep 13, 9:30pm UTCEastern Conference

Chicago Fire

New England

Soldier Field • MLS Pass on Apple TV

Sep 19, 11:30pm UTCEastern Conference

New England

Orlando City

Boston Stadium • MLS Pass on Apple TV

Sep 27, 1:30am UTCWestern Conference

Real Salt Lake

New England

America First Field • MLS Pass on Apple TV

News

Sep 9, 2026

Exits game with potential concussion

Sands left the pitch in the final minutes of Wednesday's 2-1 loss to New York City FC after taking a blow to the head.

Analysis: Sands was conscious when he came off, but the fact that his injury triggered his team's sixth substitution under concussion protocol is a cause of concern ahead of upcoming matches. The left-back was replaced by Tanner Beason, who could get a rare opportunity to produce if the issue is a serious one. Such event would mark the first time Sands misses a league game this season after a string of 24 starts.

Jun 9, 2026

Signs extension with New England

Sands signed a contract extension with New England Revolution through the 2029-30 MLS season, the club announced.

Analysis: Sands has been one of the standout performers in the early stages of the 2026 MLS campaign, starting all 14 matches across both left and right back while contributing one goal, one assist and three clean sheets. The 25-year-old joined New England during the 2024 summer transfer window and is now in his third season with the club, having previously won the 2023 MLS Cup championship with Columbus Crew. Sporting director Curt Onalfo praised his tremendous growth as a player and teammate since joining, while head coach Marko Mitrovic described him as both a talented player and an exceptional person whose best years are still ahead. Over his MLS career with New England and Columbus, Sands has accumulated 63 appearances including 41 starts, one goal and six assists in regular season play. The Revolution, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference at the World Cup break, will resume their season with a home fixture against Toronto FC on July 22 at Gillette Stadium.