Tayvon Gray Explained

Tayvon Gray
Full Name:Tayvon Howard Gray
Birth Date:19 August 2002
Birth Place:The Bronx, New York, United States
Height:[1]
Position:Right-back
Currentclub:New York City FC
Clubnumber:24
Youthyears1:–2012
Youthclubs1:SDFC Gunners
Youthyears2:2012–2017
Youthclubs2:Cedar Stars Academy
Youthyears3:2017–2020
Youthclubs3:New York City FC
Years1:2020–
Caps1:62
Goals1:0
Nationalyears1:2018–2019
Nationalcaps1:18
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:September 24, 2023
Nationalteam-Update:June 6, 2024

Tayvon Howard Gray (born August 19, 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club New York City FC. Born in the United States, he plays for the Jamaica national team.

Early life

Gray was born in The Bronx, New York.[2] He attended high school in Hackensack High School and Alexander Hamilton High School, while also playing club soccer at Soccer Domain FC Gunners. At just nine years old, Gray had trials with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.[3] He later joined the Cedar Stars academy.[3] In 2017, Gray joined the New York City FC academy.[4] [2] He is of Jamaican descent.[5]

Professional career

New York City

On November 26, 2019, Gray signed as a homegrown player with Major League Soccer side New York City FC ahead of the 2020 season.[6] This made him the first Bronx native to play for New York City FC.[7] He made the bench three times during the 2020 MLS season but did not make an appearance. He made his professional debut on April 24, 2021, appearing as an 83rd-minute substitute during a 5–0 win over FC Cincinnati.[8] Gray consistently made the bench in the first part of the season and made his continental competition debut in a start in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Leagues Cup, playing 88 minutes in the match that NYCFC lost on penalties to UNAM Pumas.[9] After Anton Tinnerholm, NYCFC's starting right back, tore his achilles tendon in a match against Nashville SC on October 10, Gray was able to establish himself as a consistent presence in the lineup. He ended the 2021 season with 10 appearances, 375 minutes, and one assist.[10] He then went on to start in all four a NYCFC's playoff matches, playing every minute and recording an assist in their run to the 2021 MLS Cup.

Gray made his CONCACAF Champions League debut in NYCFC's first match of 2022, playing in a 2–0 win against Costa Rican side Santos de Guápiles.[11]

International career

Gray has represented the United States at various youth levels.[12]

In September 2023, Gray was called up to the Jamaica senior national team for CONCACAF Nations League matches versus Honduras and Haiti.[13] He made his debut on September 8 against Honduras.[14]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupPlayoffsContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York City FC2020MLS0000
20211004010150
2022270204010340
20232801030320
202414000140
Total79030404050950
Career total79030404050950

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
Jamaica202330
202430
Total60

Honours

New York City FC

2021[15]

2022

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tayvon Gray . 20 August 2022 . New York City FC.
  2. Web site: Tayvon Gray. New York City. FC. New York City FC.
  3. Web site: Athleticism, Commitment and Family Propel Tayvon Gray to Pro Contract with NYCFC. Evan. Unger. August 25, 2020. EDP Soccer.
  4. Web site: Gun Hill Resident joins NYCFC – Bronx Times. Jason. Cohen. www.bxtimes.com.
  5. Web site: SSFC Spotlight: Tayvon Gray takes full advantage of opportunity. Brendan. Joseph. March 3, 2022. Stars and Stripes FC.
  6. Web site: NYCFC sign US youth national team defender Tayvon Gray to Homegrown deal | MLSSoccer.com. mlssoccer.
  7. Web site: FC. New York City. Tayvon Gray. 2022-02-21. New York City FC. en.
  8. Web site: NYCvsCIN 04-24-2021 | MLSsoccer.com. mlssoccer.
  9. Web site: mlssoccer. NYCvsPUM 08-11-2021 MLSsoccer.com. 2022-02-21. mlssoccer. en.
  10. Web site: FC. New York City. Tayvon Gray. 2022-02-21. New York City FC. en.
  11. Web site: 2021-03-12. Game Details. 2022-02-21. Concacaf.
  12. Web site: Tayvon Gray | U.S. Soccer Official Website. www.ussoccer.com.
  13. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/jff-names-23-man-squad-for-concacaf-matches-against-haiti-honduras/
  14. Web site: Tayvon Gray made his debut with Jamaica. Caitlyn. Chale. September 9, 2023. Skyscraper Blues.
  15. News: 2021 MLS Cup. mlssoccer.com. 6 July 2022.