RyeGPT People of Note is a series highlighting individuals who have a connection to the City of Rye. In the series we ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prepare a biography and explain the individual’s connection to Rye.
We welcome your feedback on this series – the use of artificial intelligence, the accuracy and usefulness of each article and your assistance in understanding other pertinent insights related to the person’s connection to Rye.
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Early Days and Grassroots Soccer in Rye
Born in Rye on July 6, 2000, Will Sands spent his formative years growing up in a close-knit, sports-minded household alongside his twin brother, James Sands, and sisters Kate and Lizzie. The Sands family backyard in Rye served as the ultimate training ground, where the brothers relentlessly sharpened their footwork and tactical instincts together.
Beginning his structured athletic path in local community sports programs around Rye, Sands joined the New York Soccer Club in 2010 at age ten. Operating in the region as a premier developmental partner and affiliate of New York City FC (NYCFC), the club gave Sands his first taste of competitive regional youth soccer.
His stellar technical ability and defensive work ethic earned him a spot in the NYCFC Academy upon its inception in 2015. Commuting from Rye to train within NYCFC’s elite development pipeline, Sands spent four years (2015–2019) honing his versatility on the pitch before transitioning to collegiate soccer.
NCAA Championship Glory at Georgetown
In 2019, Sands enrolled at Georgetown University to play for the Hoyas men’s soccer program. Over three seasons in Washington, D.C. (2019–2021), he emerged as one of the premier college defenders in the country. Appearing in 56 matches for the Hoyas, Sands recorded four goals and five assists while helping anchor a formidable defensive line.
His freshman year at Georgetown culminated in collegiate soccer’s ultimate prize: the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship (College Cup). Sands and the Hoyas went on to claim two Big East Conference Tournament titles in 2019 and 2021. By his junior season in 2021, Sands was named a First Team All-BIG EAST selection, a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-East Region honoree, and a United Soccer Coaches First Team Scholar All-American.
Major League Soccer Career: From Columbus to New England
Sands officially entered the professional ranks on January 21, 2022, when the Columbus Crew acquired his Homegrown priority rights from NYCFC and signed him to a first-team contract. He made his professional debut with Columbus Crew 2 before earning his Major League Soccer debut with the senior squad on May 21, 2022, against Los Angeles FC.
During the 2023 campaign, Sands established himself as a starting left-back for the Crew, displaying exceptional crossing capabilities and defensive tackle efficiency. Though a mid-season ACL injury sidelined him during the spring of 2023, he remained a key member of the squad as Columbus went on to win the 2023 MLS Cup championship.
Following a successful recovery and return to action in early 2024, Sands was traded on July 31, 2024, to the New England Revolution in exchange for U.S. international defender DeJuan Jones and General Allocation Money.
Sands seamlessly fit into New England’s defensive unit at Gillette Stadium. In April 2026, he notched a major career milestone by heading home a corner kick against Atlanta United FC to score his first career MLS goal, helping propel the Revolution to a 2–1 victory. Across his professional career, the Rye native has surpassed 60 MLS appearances and continues to represent Westchester County’s strong soccer tradition on the national stage.
