Combined XI: LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls | MLS Cup 2024
You know there’s a Cup final on the horizon when the ol’ Combined XI column pops up in your feed!
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• First MLS goal - at FC Dallas, 5/11/2019 in the 58th minute, assisted by Michael Amir Murillo
• First MLS assist - vs. Atlanta United, 5/19/2019 on a Tom Barlow goal in the 65th minute
• First MLS game - at Columbus Crew SC, 3/2/2019
• First MLS start - at FC Dallas, 5/11/2019
2024: MLS: Started in 24 of 28 matches played...recorded 2,234 minutes played...tallied two assists, which tied a single season career-high...recorded his first assist of the season against New England Revolution on May 11...became fifth defender in franchise history to record 150 appearances across all competitions for the club. Leagues Cup: Started and played in two matches...logged 180 minutes played. Playoffs: Started and played in five matches...logged 422 minutes played...scored lone goal for New York in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup...became the second player in franchise history to score in an MLS Cup and the first defender.
2023: MLS: Played and started in 31 matches this season...totaled 2,718 minutes played...recorded one goal and one assist...ranked second in MLS in aerial duels won with 133...Named New York Red Bulls captain and became the first New York native to be named captain of the Red Bulls. Open Cup: Played and started in one match...totaled 120 minutes played. Leagues Cup: Played and started in all four matches...totaled 360 minutes played. Playoffs: Played and started in three matches...logged 225 minutes played.
2022: MLS: Set new career-highs in games played, starts, and minutes for the second-straight season ... started in all 33 matches he played in ... logged 2,953 minutes... second in MLS in aerial duels won (139) and duels won (213). Playoffs: Made second career MLS Cup Playoff appearance ... logged 90 minutes against FC Cincinnati on October 15. Open Cup: Played every minute of all five Open Cup matches this season.
2021: MLS: Set career-highs in games started (24), games played (24), and minutes played (2,430)...part of backline for 12 of 13 shutouts this season, most recently against Atlanta United FC on November 3...recorded his first assist of the season against Nashville S.C. on June 18... scored his first goal of the season and the game-winner against Columbus Crew on October 23... finished second in MLS in aerials won with 128. Playoffs: Made his postseason debut for New York against Philadelphia Union on Nov. 20...started and played all 120 minutes.
2020: Recorded season highs in games started (5) and minutes played (453) in six appearances ... tallied one assist.
2019: Made his MLS debut on March 2 against the Columbus Crew...Recorded 452 minutes in nine appearances...scored his first MLS goal on May 11 against FC Dallas. CCL: Played 36 minutes in the Round of 16 second leg. USL: Started all 20 of his appearances...made 85 clearances and scored three goals Open Cup: Did not appear
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
Named the 2018 Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year to cap off four years at Hofstra ... Hofstra’s team captain in 2018 and started 69 matches in four seasons for the Pride ... alongside a strong career on the field, he was named to the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America First Team, becoming just the fourth Hofstra men’s soccer student-athlete in program history to earn the recognition.
ACQUIRED
New York Red Bulls signed defender Sean Nealis to a three-year MLS contract through 2026 with an option for 2027 on October 6, 2022.