Iconic Red Bull New York striker Bradley Wright-Phillips will be included into Legends Row at Sports Illustrated Stadium following Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. match against FC Dallas.
On Thursday, the two-time MLS Golden Boot winner reflected on his seven-year spell in Harrison, where he helped the club to three Supporters’ Shields and was named a three-time team MVP.
‘I Didn’t Plan for Any of This’ — Wright-Phillips on Upcoming Legends Row Induction
“[As] a kid from South London, you don’t think you’re going to end up playing in America,” Wright-Phillips said during Thursday’s press conference at Sports Illustrated Stadium. “For one, let alone have your number retired and now inducted into the Legends Row. It’s more when I’ve retired, and I’ve looked back at these things, and I’m like wow.
“I didn’t plan for any of this. I just wanted to come here, score some goals, prove that I wasn’t in my dad and my brother’s shadow. All of a sudden, I have the accolades – it’s humbling. It’s amazing. I love Red Bull New York.”
Wright-Phillips Still Has Regrets Over Not Winning MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup
Although no one in the club’s history has scored more than Wright-Phillips’ 126 goals across all competitions, the now 41-year-old MLS on Apple TV analyst is still haunted by not delivering an MLS Cup or U.S. Open Cup to Red Bull supporters.
The Red Bulls lost the 2017 U.S. Open Cup 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City, and Wright-Phillips scored in the 91st minute.
“Not winning a cup,” Wright-Phillips replied when asked about a defining memory from his seven years with the club. “I’ve got a lot of friends around the league that have won cups, guys I’ve played with, guys I know through the game.
“When you talk about some of the best players in the league, you talk about them winning MLS Cups. It doesn’t hurt because I didn’t win it; it hurt because we had the teams to win it. I think that’s what the struggle is.”
When the Red Bulls unveiled their new state of the art training facility RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township, Wright-Phillips said that he and fellow club legend Thierry Henry discussed some of the close misses.
“He brings up to me that we didn’t win the cup,” Wright-Phillips recalled of their conversation. “It’s something that doesn’t leave me. I wish we did [win a cup], I think we had the squad to do it, but that’s the one thing that stands out.”
Wright-Phillips Takes Pride in Helping Next Generation of Red Bull Talents
Despite not achieving MLS Cup title glory, Wright-Phillips made a tremendous impact on the club, and that continues today in a part-time coaching/special assistant to the sporting director role.
The development of high-potential youngsters like Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Matthew Dos Santos, Ronald Donkor, Mohammed Sofo, Tanner Rosborough and Rafael Mosquera
“I wouldn’t want to take credit for those boys and their talent,” Wright-Phillips said. “A bunch of them are very talented players and hard workers. I’m privileged that I get to share the pitch with those guys and give a little bit of advice when they needed it.”
Wright-Phillips will become the second player in franchise history to be included into Legends Row, following long-serving goalkeeper Luis Robles. The club bestowed the honor on Robles in 2022.
Saturday’s ceremony will take place following Red Bull New York’s match against FC Dallas.
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