Bradley Wright-Phillips followed up his 2014 MLS Golden Boot campaign with a more balanced performance in 2015. Wright-Phillips scored 17 goals and added seven assists, demolishing his previous MLS career high of two assists.
The London-born striker tied the MLS record for most goals scored over two seasons, with 44 (Stern John, Columbus, 1997-98), and was one goal shy of tying John’s record for the most goals scored in the season after a 20+ goal year. John scored 26 in 1997, and 18 in 1998.
BWP got going with a goal and assist against D.C. United in the home opener on March 28, a 2-1 Red Bulls win. He repeated the feat the following match in Columbus, giving New York a 2-1 road win. Wright-Phillips tallied three goals and three assists during the team’s seven-game unbeaten streak to open the 2015 season.
Wright-Phillips got his first two-goal game of the season on May 10, in the inaugural New York Derby against New York City FC. Wright-Phillips opened the derby in style, scoring just four minutes in, and added a second, the game-winner, after the Red Bulls had been reduced to 10 men.
Wright-Phillips had three multi-goal games in 2015, bringing his career total to nine, good for third place on the club’s all-time leaders list, behind Gio Savarese (10) and Juan Pablo Angel (12). With 45 career goals, Wright-Phillips leapfrogged into third on the club’s all-time leaders list, behind Henry (51) and Angel (58).
In the postseason, Wright-Phillips set a new franchise record for career playoff goals, with his sixth for New York in the second leg against D.C. United.
