Harrison, NJ (February 21, 2018) – Luis Robles, Major League Soccer’s reigning ironman, gets the Red Bulls armband.
Head Coach Jesse Marsh announced today that goalkeeper Luis Robles has been named team captain of the New York Red Bulls, filling the vacancy left by the trade of Sacha Kljestan. Robles becomes the first keeper to wear the armband for the club since Metrostar and USMNT keeper Tony Meola had the honor in the 1997-98 season.
“For the last five and a half years, I have been given a great privilege to represent this organization and its supporters on the field,” said Robles. “With this new duty, as Captain, I understand that I have been entrusted with an even greater responsibility to be at my best, to empower my teammates to be the best they can be, while leading the way to our shared goals of an MLS Cup and success at the highest levels.”
In recent years, Robles has always been candid in postgame press conferences. He presents as a thoughtful soccer scholar that is always honest, often turning accountability inwards, whether positive or negative. He currently holds the league record for most consecutive starts, a streak that began when his current understudy Ryan Meara went down with injury in 2012. That streak is currently active at 174 consecutive matches. Additionally, he sits 12th on the all-time clean sheet list with 49, tied with former DC United keeper Bill Hamid. Since joining the club in 2012, Robles has amassed 508 saves and compiled an 80-51-43 record.
The Arizona native joins a list of club captains that includes players such as Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry, Claudio Reyna, Tab Ramos, and current Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes.
The Red Bulls close out their preseason schedule on Wednesday at 4 pm Eastern against the Portland Timbers at Kino Sports Complex in Arizona. The newly anointed captain and the Red Bulls then travel to Costa Rica to face CD Olimpia in CONCACAF Champions League play Thursday night at 10 pm Eastern. The return leg takes place on March 1st at 8 pm at Red Bull Arena. New York opens their MLS schedule on Saturday, March 10th, once again facing the Portland Timbers at Red Bull Arena at 7 pm.
