HARRISON, NJ (November 26th, 2014) -
The 2014 New York Red Bulls announced their annual team awards winners, as voted on by local members of the media.
Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips earned the team's Most Valuable Player for the first time. In his first full season in Major League Soccer, the Englishman earned the 2014 Budweiser MLS Golden Boot, tying the all-time, single-season scoring record of 27 goals set by Chris Wondolowski (2012) and Roy Lassiter (1996). Wright-Phillips made 32 appearances, including 29 starts and added one assist as well. Along with winning the MLS Golden Boot, Wright-Phillips broke New York's franchise single-season scoring record on August 23 with his 20th goal of the season, surpassing Juan Pablo Angel's mark of 19 goals set in 2007. The Englishman was also named to the 2014 MLS All-Star team and scored a remarkable left-footed goal against FC Bayern Munich in a 2-1 win. Wright-Phillips recorded six multi-goal games in 2014, including three hat tricks and three two-goal games and led New York with six game-winning goals. Wright-Phillips joined New York on July 24, 2013 after stints in England Manchester City, Southampton, Plymouth-Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Brentford.
Goalkeeper Luis Robles was the team's Defensive Player of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year and Media Good Guy of the Year. Robles was the only Red Bull to play in every minute of every game in 2014. Robles posted a 13-10-11 record with six shutouts and 1.47 goals against average. The goalkeeper finished the season tied for second in the league in saves with 111, including a career high 10-save performance at Gillette Stadium against the New England Revolution. Over the final month of the regular-season in October, Robles allowed just four goals in four games including two shutout performances.
Regarding the Humanitarian of the Year award, off the pitch, Robles is active in the community making it a point to visit children's hospitals once a month no matter how hectic his schedule may be. He also makes monthly visits the Valley Foundation Program for Children with Autism. Robles regularly offers a helping hand at clinics and training programs for underprivileged children, community relations efforts on behalf of the Red Bulls, and still maintains ties with his hometown in Arizona with a series of clinics. Robles is heavily involved in the national initiative known as Athletes in Action, an organization that uses sports as a platform to help answer questions about faith and religion.
Midfielder Ambroise Oyongo was named the team's Newcomer of the Year. After cracking into the starting XI at left back, Oyongo also saw time at left midfield for the Red Bulls in 2014. Oyongo made 13 appearances, including 11 starts, and added recorded three assists. Oyongo contributed to New York's offense immediately, recording all three of his assists over his first four games. The midfielder's first career MLS assist came in his appearance against Toronto FC on June 27 in a 2-2 draw. Oyongo signed with the Red Bulls on March 7, 2014 after previously playing for Coton Sport FC in Cameroon since 2010.
2014 New York Red Bulls Team Awards
- Most Valuable Player/Team Golden Boot Winner: Bradley Wright-Phillips
- Defensive Player of the Year: Luis Robles
- Newcomer of the Year: Ambroise Oyongo
- Humanitarian of the Year: Luis Robles
- Media Good Guy of the Year: Luis Robles
* - Determined by local members of the media
