Alonso Martínez, as expected, was named the 2025 MVP for NYCFC | OneFootball

The best thing that happened in 2024 was that Alonso Martínez eventually became the starting striker for New York City FC, especially once it was realized that Mounsef Bakrar was sadly not the answer. So, the Costa Rican took the job and never looked back. He was fantastic for the Pigeons, especially in 2025, which is why he was named the team's MVP.

Martínez scored 21 goals overall, scoring 17 in the regular season. His year ended slightly earlier than fans would have liked since he tore his ACL during international duty with Costa Rica. This kept him out of the final two playoff games. While his year ended poorly, there is no question that he was vital to NYCFC this season.

Alonso Martínez deserves to be NYCFC's MVP

One can argue that Martínez was responsible for multiple wins. His goals were what the team was missing prior to taking the starting role, and he proved to everyone he was reliable in 2024. So, it was not shocking when NYCFC offered him a contract extension, which he signed early in the 2025 campaign.

The striker easily could have faced some scoring and playing blues, which sometimes occurs when a player in any sport signs a new contract. But, as mentioned, he did not falter for a second. He scored 21 goals, scoring once every 1.7 games.

Additionally, he won some of the matches for NYCFC, including a few 1-0 victories over some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. His lone goal won the April game against the eventual MLS Supporters' Shield winners, the Philadelphia Union. Then, he had the only goal in the strong defensive win against FC Cincinnati in August.

He was also a part of the bonkers win over FC Dallas, in which the Pigeons won 4-3. The back-and-forth affair was wild in every way, and Martínez scored a hat-trick, including the winning goal. In the end, these were just a few of the games in which the forward was a vital member of the team.

Additionally, he was not somebody who would wait for a pass and try to score. The striker has experience on the wings, so he would try to drive the ball up the pitch as well. His footwork enabled him to score some funky goals. Martínez had scored everything from tap-ins, golazos, and goals that required him to go around multiple players. He also had two assists in 2025, and might have had more if he had more matches on the wings.

Of course, the striker was best utilized up front and center. This is why he was the team's MVP, and he was so important to the team. It is a shame he will miss a good portion and possibly all of the 2026 season due to his ACL tear. Even if Martínez returns this year, he will likely not be 100%.

Hopefully, the NYCFC striker will recover as soon as possible. But no matter what, he is the team's 2025 MVP.