Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison (98) takes the field for action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

10. Damon Harrison, Defensive Tackle, New York Giants

The fact that Damon Harrison didn’t make the pro bowl is a disgusting oversight. The fact that he made 1st Team All-Pro is more than well deserved. The Giants big defensive tackle led all defensive lineman with 86 tackles and was the highest rated DT for Pro Football Focus. He spearheaded a Giants run defense that allowed the second fewest yards per carry and the third fewest rushing yards per game in the NFL.

Harrison’s impact expands past the field of play — he has become the teams emotional leader, not just the defenses and it shouldn’t be long before he becomes a defensive captain. His impact on and off the field cannot be understated, and his importance to the Giants defense is of paramount importance.

9. Sacha Klejstan, Midfielder, New York Red Bulls

It might be surprising to see Red Bulls attacking midfielder Sacha Klejstan inside the top ten, but it shouldn’t be — he was simply sensational for the best team in the East in 2016.

Klejstan scored six goals in 2016, and more importantly, recorded a stunning 20 assists, making him the second ever player in MLS history to hit the 20 assist mark in a single season (Thierry Henry being the other).

Klejstan’s exploits landed him a nomination for MLS Most Valuable Player, an award that features three New York Finalists: Klejstan, his teammate Bradley Wright Philips, and NYCFC’s David Villa, two players who will (spoiler!) be featured in this list as well.

At 31 years old, Klejstan definitely has several more elite seasons left in him. We’ll see if he further surpasses his record 2016 season in the years to come.

8. Noah Syndergaard, Starting Pitcher, New York Mets

Who is the ace of the New York Mets pitching staff? The answer has varied over the past several seasons — three years ago, it was Matt Harvey. Last year, it was Jake deGrom. This year, it was undoubtably Noah Syndergaard.

“Thor,” as he is affectionately referred to, was tremendous in 2016. In 183.2 innings, Syndergaard posted a 14-9 record, with a 2.60 ERA. He also struck out 218 batters, boasted a 1.15 WHIP and held opposing batters to a .243 average.

The reason why the Mets are highly regarded as a team with dynastic potential is because of their incredibly talented, young pitching staff. Syndergaard is no exception — at 24-years-old, Thor looks primed to dominate hitters for at least a decade.

Here’s hoping he stays healthy, and continues his ascent into a potential future Cy Young Winner.

7. David Villa, Striker, New York City Football Club

As impressive as the Red Bulls quartet of stars are, they each have each other to lean on. At times, David Villa single-handedly dragged NYCFC over the line. His tremendous sophomore season in MLS — 23 goals, four assists, and a nomination for MLS Most Valuable Player — showed just how special he is.

The former World Cup and Champions League winner has been NYCFC captain from day one, and his performances this year show just why. His wide arrange of goals, from headers, to volleys, to inch perfect strikes, show how versatile and dangerous of an attacker he is.

At 35-years-old, Villa will eventually begin to slow down soon, but his craftiness as an attacker suggest that he will be able to contribute as long as he gets a chance in Patrick Viera’s side.

Villa’s individual ability and statistical output over the past few seasons warrant him a place in the Top Five.

As long as he continues to produce strikes like this:

6. Henrik Lundqvist, Goalie, New York Rangers

When I first assembled this list before the NFL, NBA and NHL seasons began, Henrik Lundqvist was jostling for position in the top three. After the rise of other players, and his startling recent regression, he has dropped out of the top five.

That isn’t to say that Lundqvist isn’t still a top tier goaltender. He has won the Venzina trophy, and he’s won an Olympic Gold Medal with Sweden, but the fact that he hasn’t led the Rangers to a Stanley Cup remains his biggest criticism.

He’s still among the best goaltenders in the NHL, he is the face of the Rangers franchise, and when he’s on his game, he can single-handedly win the Rangers contests. If he can snap out of his recent funk, he’ll surely resume his status as a shoe-in top 5 player in New York.

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Skylar Darel
Staff Writer at Elite Sports New York. Lead Writer at New York Sports Hub and My Weekly Sports. Twitter, instagram: @skylardarel. Avid fan of the Yankees, Knicks, Giants, New York City FC, FC Barcelona, and Arsenal FC. Sophomore at the College of New Jersey, studying Communication. Aspiring play-by-play commentator. Grew up in Manhattan, and proud to know how to work the Subway system.

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