HANOVER, N.J. – Records are meant to be broken, but some seem more unlikely than others.
Standing guard for the New York Red Bulls for 113 straight matches (and counting), Luis Robles now stands alone as the barometer for longevity and consistency in Major League Soccer.
And for as insurmountable as Kevin Hartman’s previous record may have seemed, Robles was perhaps as unlikely a candidate to surpass that mark as anyone.
Joining the team in the late stages of the 2012 season, Robles was brought in under emergency circumstances to help salvage their season. But in many ways, it was the Red Bulls who saved Robles.
“From day one, the belief in me has been very high,” he said. “Whether it was with [former head coach] Mike Petke, with Jesse [Marsch, current head coach], my goalkeeping coaches, my teammates, the organization and the supporters, I’m eternally grateful for all of it.”
Ever humble, Robles is often quick to point to others for his success, but it takes a special talent to attain a record of such stature. While brought in at a time when injuries and uncertainty defined the goalkeeping position for the Red Bulls, Robles grasped the opportunity laid in front of him with both hands, and never looked back.
“He’s humble; he knows what it’s like to be at the bottom when he almost had to retire,” captain Dax McCarty said. “For him to have the character, the strength, the mental fortitude to push through and start from the bottom and slowly work his way up to being a starting goalkeeper again, it says a lot.
“When you’re in that position, you never want to step off the field because you know someone else can take your job. He hasn’t let anyone do that and I think he’s going to keep going until his body says he can’t anymore.”
For years, Red Bulls fans have become accustomed to seeing #31 week in and week out. Given his constant presence in the lineup, it can be easy to take such consistency for granted. But those within the locker room know just how hard Robles has worked during his time with the club to not only stay on the field, but also remain amongst the top goalkeepers in the league.
“It’s amazing that he’s been able to keep this streak going for so long,” goalkeeper coach Preston Burpo told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “It says a lot about how he takes care of himself off the field. I know he eats right and he’s in the gym a lot. This club has been really lucky to have him be so consistent. You have 10 guys that always know they have someone behind them that’s an amazing keeper that communicates well. The chemistry is always there with him.”
A record spanning five consecutive seasons, Robles has seen regime changes and roster turnover throughout his time in New York. Through it all, it was his calming presence in the back that helped guide the team to two Supporters’ Shield triumphs, earning a Goalkeeper of the Year award along the way.
A steady hand it net, it wasn’t always a guarantee that Robles would suit up each week, even if those on the outside never had a doubt.
“There were moments—I don’t want to say which games specifically—whether it was me not playing well or that I was a little banged up that I had my doubts,” he said with a cheeky smile. “It goes to show you that it’s about preparation and doing the right things and then seeing the end product.”
Around the league, teams have often struggled to find the kind of stability in net that Robles provides. It’s something that Marsch admits has made his job a whole lot easier, both through his stellar play on the field, and his unwavering character off it.
“It’s an incredible feat,” Marsch said. “I can’t say enough about the kind of family man he is, the kind of person he is, and the kind of player he is. It’s about staying healthy and being consistently good. You can say that goalkeepers end up being healthier than field players, but there aren’t many goalkeepers that have even gotten close to that number.”
While the record-breaking performance came in a losing effort, teammates and coaches alike made sure to recognize the feat for the sterling achievement that it is. However, Robles remained reluctant to spend too much time admiring his work. After all, there is work to be done.
“Don’t get me wrong, the streak is important and it’s something that I value, but it’s not as important as what’s going on with the team,” he said. “We had a good week, a good meeting with leaders, a good meeting with Jesse and the entire team. We know it’s just these little things that are doing us in. But if we can get that right, I really believe that we’ll be back to winning ways and we’ll be all the better for it.”
With his focus firmly set on turning the 2016 season around, Robles figures to be a key factor in changing New York’s fortunes. The franchise leader in wins and shutouts, the United States international knows his work is far from finished.
As for how far he can extend his current ironman streak? Marsch is thinking big.
“Luis is the ultimate professional and an incredible human being,” he said. “He’s a great ambassador for the sport. In Colorado, I said he should go for 113 more, and I truly believe that. I don’t see this streak stopping any time soon.”
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