Over 10 months have passed since right-winger Cameron Harper last took the field for Red Bull New York‘s first team, but the 24-year-old is pushing for a return to MLS action.
On Friday, Harper replaced Dennis Gjengaar in the 76th minute of Red Bull New York II’s 2-1 defeat of Toronto FC II at York Lions Stadium. His 14 minutes of action plus stoppage time represent a small step toward his eventual first-team return.
Red Bulls Receive Positive Sign in Harper’s Recovery Process
Harper helped New York double its lead by hitting a ball into the box that took a fortunate deflection and resulted in an Andy Rojas goal. Captain Nate Worth had previously put the Red Bulls ahead 1-0 in the 65th minute.
Kervon Kerr scored for Toronto in the 82nd minute but the Red Bulls prevailed north of the border.
Harper Still Working Toward First-Team Fitness
A season-ending knee injury put an end to Harper’s 2025 campaign when the Red Bulls faced Austin FC on June 14, 2025, and he underwent surgery on June 24. A recent recurrent hamstring also interrupted his progress.
Red Bull New York II Dominik Wohlert detailed the plan to reintegrate Harper into the first team.
“I’ve known Cam already many, many years, so we have a good relationship,” Wohlert said during Wednesday’s press conference. But still, he’s a first-team player. So, always late on the day, Michael [Bradley] and we put our heads together, and we will make a decision on him. How Michael plans with him, because that’s important. He’s a first-team player and the general idea just for Cam is after being injured for such a long time, I think we have to make sure that the progression is really step-by-step and we don’t rush it with him.”
“I think the first team is doing a good job of trying to navigate him and trying to bring him back to full strength. I think they have a clear idea. Whenever we can, from a second team standpoint, support that, and we can allow him minutes with us, we will try to do our best to support him. It’s more important to progress him step by step and not coming into a new situation where he gets re-injured again. So really, step by step progression. I think he’s on a good way, on a good track. I think the idea should be just to continue what we did the last couple of weeks and months.”
Once Harper is fully up to speed, he could provide valuable competition among the Red Bull first team at right-back and right-wing. Since his March 2021 arrival from Celtic, he has made 112 appearances in all competitions across five seasons for the Red Bulls.
Red Bulls II will next return home to host New York FC II on Sunday, May 17, at MSU Soccer Park. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
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