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Who Are the Best New York Red Bulls Soccer Players of All Time?

In every sport, there are always going to be athletes that cement themselves among the hearts of fans as well as their respective organizations. Whether it be basketball or soccer, every franchise has a list of players who are the best of the best. Read more to find out who the top 10 best players are in the MLS’ New York Red Bulls.

Top 10 Best New York Red Bulls Players of All Time

Bradley Wright-Phillips
Thierry Henry
Juan Pablo Angel
Luis Robles
Daniel Royer
Giovanni Savarese
Clint Mathis
John Wolyniec
Tim Cahill
Amado Guevara

1. Bradley Wright-Phillips

Two-time MLS leader in total goals made
Two-time MLS leader in goals made per 90 minutes
2020 MLS leader in non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes

Coming in at number one, we have forward Bradley Wright-Phillips. Spending most of his soccer career in the MLS (nine seasons), Wright-Phillips has cemented himself in New York Red Bulls history. Wright-Phillips being at the top of the list is for good reason. Bradley Wright-Phillips is the Red Bulls’ all-time leading scorer.

126 goals across seven seasons in New York goes to show just how impactful Wright-Phillips was to the team. In those seven seasons Wright-Phillips played for the Red Bulls, he had three where he scored 20 or more goals. Wright-Phillips’ ability to score the ball and push the offense has allowed the forward to write himself into New York Red Bulls history. Because of this, Wright-Phillips is arguably the best player in New York Red Bulls history.

2. Thierry Henry

2013 ESPY for Best MLS Player
Two-time MLS leader in non-penalty goals per 90 minutes
Three-time top 10 in MLS for non-penalty goals

It could be argued that forward Thierry Henry is neck and neck for the number-one spot on this list but is second for a few reasons. Henry would only spend five seasons in the MLS but in those five seasons, he spent them playing for the New York Red Bulls. Henry would act as the team’s captain, demonstrating his experience and leadership. In those five seasons with the Red Bulls, Henry would go on to score 52 goals.

Following Henry’s third season with the New York Red Bulls, he would go on to win the award for best MLS player at the ESPYs. From scoring the ball to finding his teammates for opportunities, Henry proved just how potent of a leader he was to the team. During the 2012 and 2014 MLS season, Thierry Henry would place second in assists. During the 2011 MLS season, Henry would place third in total goals made with 14.

3. Juan Pablo Angel

2011 MLS champion
2007 MLS league leader in goals and assists
2007 MLS league leader in penalty kicks made

Forward Juan Pablo Angel would spend a total of four seasons with the Red Bulls, where in his time with the team, he left quite an impact. In over 100 games for the Red Bulls, Angel would score 62 goals. In 2008, Angel played a crucial role in the team’s MLS Cup run.

In 2007, Juan Pablo Angel would be the MLS’ league leader in total goals and assists. That same season, he would lead the MLS in total penalty kicks made with five. Angel was also efficient when shooting toward the goal. In 2007, he would lead the MLS with shots on target per 90 minutes.

4. Luis Robles

Five-time MLS leader in minutes played
Two-time MLS leader in clean sheets
2018 MLS leader in clean sheet percentage

Coming in at number four is the only goalkeeper to grace the top 10 when discussing New York Red Bulls players. Luis Robles, like many of the other Red Bulls on the list, has made a name for himself. Robles spent eight seasons playing for the New York Red Bulls. As a goalkeeper, his job was quite simple, yet a skill to perfect: prevent the other team from scoring.

For five seasons, Luis Robles would rank top 10 in the MLS in total saves, from 2013 to the 2017. In 2016 and 2018, Robles led the MLS in total clean sheets. Robles shut out opponents with his saving ability and agility. When discussing clean sheets, Robles would have an insane percentage of 45.2% in 2018 to lead the MLS.

5. Daniel Royer

Two-time top 10 in MLS in penalty kicks made
2018 top 10 in MLS in expected and non-expected goals per 90 minutes
2019 top 10 in MLS in progressive passes rec

With the number-five spot on the 10 best Red Bulls players list, we have forward and midfielder Daniel Royer. Royer joined the Red Bulls in 2016, playing with them for six seasons (until 2021). While playing for the Red Bulls, Royer scored 50 goals. Of those 50 goals, eight of them landed Royer in the top 10 for penalty kicks made (the 2017 and 2019 MLS seasons, respectively).

In 2018, Royer would win the Supporters Shield as he helped lead the Red Bulls to a stellar regular season. There’s one thing about Royer: he’s consistent. Playing efficiently and tactically only helped Royer develop. Through his development, Daniel Royer would ultimately cement himself among the many great New York Red Bulls.

6. Giovanni Savarese

1997 MLS league leader in non-penalty goals
1997 top 10 in MLS in goals and assists
1998 top 10 in MLS in penalty kicks made

At number six is a player who would pave the way for future Red Bulls. Striker Giovanni Savarese played for the New York Red Bulls back when they were called the NY MetroStars. In Savarese’s three seasons with the team, he scored 44 goals. Savarese would be in the top 10 for total goals made in his three seasons with the Red Bulls. Going even further, he would also rank among the top 10 players in the MLS for goals per 90 minutes.

In 1997, Giovanni Savarese would be the MLS league leader in non-penalty goals with 14. The season before that (1996) and even after (1998), Savarese would remain among the top 10 in non-penalty goals.

7. Clint Mathis

2009 MLS champion
2000 MLS leader in goals and assists
2000 MLS leader in non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes

The number-seven spot on the list belongs to American forward and midfielder Clint Mathis. In 2009, Mathis would win an MLS championship. Mathis would spend a total of five seasons with the Red Bulls. In 93 games with the club, he would score 39 goals. Apart from his success with the MetroStars/Red Bulls, he would play a crucial role in the 2002 World Cup.

In a game against the Dallas Burn during the 2000 season, Clint Mathis would score an incredible five goals. That same season, Mathis would lead the MLS in goals and assists. The 2000 season with the MetroStars would also see Mathis place third in total goals made with 16.

8. John Wolyniec

Fifth in MLS in non-penalty goals in 2004
Seventh in MLS in total goals in 2004
Ninth in MLS in goals per 90 minutes in 2004

Forward John Wolyniec is the next entry on our list of best Red Bulls players. Wolyniec would play nine seasons with the MetroStats before they became the Red Bulls, like many of the other players on our list. In those nine seasons, Wolyniec would score 26 goals, the most important one during the MLS Cup in 2008.

During the 2004 season, Wolyniec would rank seventh across the MLS for total goals made with 10. Wolyniec would also rank seventh in non-penalty goals made that season. The Red Bulls fan base would dub John Wolyniec the “Staten Island Ronaldo” for his determination and goal-scoring.

9. Tim Cahill

2009 Australian Male Footballer of the Year
Seventh in MLS in non-penalty goals in 2013
Ninth in MLS in total goals in 2013

Forward and midfielder Tim Cahill earns the second to last spot in this ranking of Red Bulls players. The Australian soccer player has had a decorated career. In three of the 19 seasons he has played, Cahill played for the New York Red Bulls. In 62 games with the Red Bulls, Cahill would score 14 goals.

Cahill proved himself to be a potent leader for the Red Bulls in the midfield. The 2013 season would demonstrate this as Cahill would be integral in the Red Bulls winning the Supporters Shield. During the 2013 season, Cahill would also be in the top 10 in the MLS for total goals made (ninth) and non-penalty goals (seventh).

10. Amado Guevara

2004 MLS MVP
2004 MLS league leader in assists
Two-time MLS league leader in penalty kicks made

To round out our list, we have midfielder Amado Guevara. Playing four seasons with the MetroStars proved to help the club immensely, as they were struggling. In over 100 games with the MetroStars, Guevara would score 32 goals. It would pay off as Guevara would win the MLS MVP award during the 2004 season.

During his four seasons in New York, Guevara would rank top 10 in penalty kicks made (2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006). In 2 of those seasons, he would rank first (2004 and 2006). In 2004 and 2005, Guevara would also rank top 10 in total goals made. Besides being able to score the ball, Guevara was a playmaker, finding his open teammates for opportunities. This would show as in the 2004 season, Guevara would be the MLS league leader in assists with eight.