Will Sands
NER
LB (RB)
Possession Builder
Jul 6, 2000 (26)
Left
5'10"
150 lb
New EnglandSigns 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.
Unfortunate own goal
Sands registered an own goal, one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.
Analysis: Sands experienced a mixed night in Saturday's 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union, deflecting Milan Iloski's touch past Matt Turner in the first half for an own goal that handed the visitors the lead in an unfortunate moment, before responding after the break with composed defensive work and an accurate cross that helped initiate the buildup leading to Luca Langoni's equalizer. The American left-back made four tackles, one interception and one clearance. Sands has registered one goal across 11 MLS appearances this season, and his ability to recover from the own goal and contribute positively to the comeback underlined his importance to both the defensive and attacking structure of his team.
Active at right-back
Sands recorded five crosses (three accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 1-0 win over Charlotte FC. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 51st minute.
Analysis: Usually a left-back, New England shifted Sands' position to right-back Saturday because the team rendered Ilay Feingold (undisclosed) out. Sands subsequently quadrupled his 2026's tally of accurate crosses from one to four in 10 appearances.
Scores from defense
Sands scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Atlanta United.
Analysis: Sands would start the comeback for New England on Wednesday, as the defender got on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute. This is a rare goal for the defender, as he has not recorded one in his MLS career until now. That said, he also added two blocks and five clearances in the defense.
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