On July 11, 2018, New York Red Bulls II announced the signing of outside back Allen Yanes to a USL contract. Yanes, 21, joined NYRB II after three seasons with Antigua Guatemala Futbol Club in which he won three consecutive league titles.
Learn more about Allen Yanes below:
Q. How have you been since joining New York Red Bulls II?
YANES: “Well good, thank God in the month and a couple weeks that I’ve been here, I’ve been well with my teammates from the second team and first team, who are great people and very good players. I’ve fit in well with the coaching staff and my group, and I’m working hard and giving my best effort every day.”
Q. What did you learn from the experience of playing in Antigua GFC, where you won three consecutive league titles?
YANES: “Yeah, I was at Antigua for three years, where I played six tournaments of which three I became a champion, and yeah, thank God I played a lot. I played a couple games in the Concacaf Champions League in which I learned that to get to this level you have to work hard and thank God I got a little of experience from Guatemala. I’m here to give my best effort, to learn, and to show what I can do.”
Q. During your time with Antigua GFC, you visited Red Bull Arena for a Concacaf Champions League group stage match, how does it feel to be back as a player?
YANES: “Honestly, it never crossed my mind that I would get here. Obviously, I know it’s one of the best clubs in MLS, and yes, it’s a new goal, a new challenge, and I’m going to enjoy it and make the most of it every day.”
Q. How has the change been from playing in Guatemala to now here?
YANES: “I think us soccer players are used to changing the places where we live and play. I think it’s a short time to integrate ourselves with our new teammates, but I passed that stage the first few days and now I feel happier being here.”
Q. What do you like to do when you’re not training or playing soccer?
YANES: “I like to rest, read a little, watch movies, and more than anything talk with my family.”
Q. Was there a player you grew up watching?
YANES: “Well yeah, everyone grows seeing Messi, players like that. But in my case, I liked Carlos Puyol a lot.”
Q. What are three words that describe Allen Yanes?
YANES: “Humble, disciplined, and with plenty of attitude.”
Q. What do you hope to bring to this New York Red Bulls II team?
YANES: I want to show what I have; I like to have the ball. I’m a player who likes to have the ball in his feet, and that's something that this team has. I hope to fit in with this team in the best way.”
