The New York Red Bulls clinched their third Supporters’ Shield in club history, capping off what was a historic 2018 regular season in which the team broke numerous club and league records.
“What an amazing feeling. To do it with this group of guys that are so special,” defender Aaron Long said. “We’ve talked about how good this locker room is as a unit all year and how much we value each other. It’s so special to do it with this group of guys. Our fans deserve it for sure, so it’s just an amazing feeling.”
Sunday also marked a career milestone for goalkeeper Luis Robles, who became one of three players to be on all three Supporters’ Shield teams, along with Bradley Wright-Phillips and Connor Lade. The 2018 season had many other milestones for Robles, as he won his 100th career game, while setting new career-highs in wins (21) and shutouts (14).
“I feel so grateful to just be a part of this organization,” Robles said. “To be teammate to those guys, they are just class acts all the way around and it’s just a special group. This year is a special group, I know 2013 was amazing being our first, 2015 just nobody thought that we could do it and that we could not accomplish much and then 2018, for us to do it on the last day again, three for three on the last day with this group is truly remarkable.”
In 2017, the Red Bulls were the last team to make it into the Eastern Conference Playoffs, making it to the semifinals before losing to Toronto FC. Within one season, the team went from the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs (6) to the highest (1). The players, along with Head Coach Chris Armas, cite the team’s commitment to youth for this jump.
“I think it gives us another year to see if we can better at who we are, which I think we are,” Armas said. “Different spots, we're younger this year. We believe in young players, no secret. We keep seeing guys come from the academy, and yeah, there's some obvious additions we've made that have secured things. We're healthy right now and we're hungrier than ever. We're chasing the grand prize.”
Long, one of the players on the New York Red Bulls II 2016 USL Cup champs, has risen through the ranks to help anchor one of the best defenses in league history.
“Young, hungry, I don’t know exactly what it is,” Long said. “But there’s a feeling within this group. Maybe it’s just a little bit more experience for us younger guys. We’ve got another year under our belt of doing great and going to the playoffs and being a good team, and now this year maybe we’re a little bit better.”
On the 2018 roster, the Red Bulls feature 22 players that are 25 years of age or younger. Of the 62 goals scored this season, 23 of them (37 percent) came from their 25-or-under players. The roster also features nine homegrown players, five of which received consistent playing time throughout the season. For those homegrown players, winning the club’s first MLS Cup is the ultimate goal.
“It would mean a lot,” forward Derrick Etienne, Jr., said. “I grew up watching the team. I’ve been in the Academy for years and now being with the first team is something that all Homegrown players take pride in. I think it would mean a lot to how many guys? Eight, nine Homegrowns, guys who play in USL and guys from the area. So, I think it would mean a lot to us that we could do it the way we’ve done it. So, we’re looking forward to the playoffs and making a run.”
Despite winning their third Supporters’ Shield and being recognized as the best team in the league during the regular season, the Red Bulls have their eyes set on the MLS Cup, something that they have yet to win in their history.
"Listen, it's tremendous,” Armas said. “We haven't talked about breaking the record for points. Like towards the end of the year, when we were asked many questions about the Supporters' Shield, the result of getting better each game would be that you put yourself in this spot tonight. To end up with 71 points, is something that maybe stands for a bit, you know, when talked about some great teams. But we know there's real work to do for the ultimate prize.”
The Red Bulls open postseason play on November 4, as they will play the Leg 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at either D.C. United, Columbus Crew SC, or Philadelphia Union, depending on the results of the Knockout Round. Leg 2 will kick off at Red Bull Arena on November 11.
