MLS New York Red Bulls

Aaron Long, Luis Robles Named Finalists for 2018 MLS End of Year Awards

Published on October 31, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


HARRISON, N.J. - New York Red Bulls defensive standouts Aaron Long and Luis Robles were named as finalists for 2018 MLS End of Year Awards, the league announced today. Robles, the 2015 Goalkeeper of the Year recipient, aims to become the fifth goalkeeper in league history to earn the award twice, while Long looks for his first Defender of the Year Award after a breakout season that included MLS All-Star and U.S. Men's National Team selections.

Both players played key roles during the Red Bulls ride to the best regular season in MLS history, setting new MLS records for points (71), wins (22), home points (43) and home wins (14).

Robles, 34, is having a career-year between the posts in his sixth full season with New York. The Fort Huachuca, Arizona, native leads the league in goals-against average (0.97), clean sheets (14) and wins (21). All three marks are career-highs for Robles. He will go up against Seattle Sounders FC's Stefan Frei and Columbus Crew SC's Zack Steffen for best goalkeeper in MLS.

Long is one of three finalists for MLS' Defender of the Year. The Oak Hills, California, native has contributed both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, anchoring a Red Bulls backline to a league-best 15 clean sheets while also adding a career-best three goals and two assists. Long ranks in the top 20 league-wide in five defensive categories, including fourth in aerials won (101), fifth in clearances (146), eighth in duels won (176), tied for eighth in blocks (24) and 16th in interceptions (16). He is pitted against Seattle Sounders FC's Chad Marshall and Atlanta United's Michael Parkhurst.

Robles has again been named as a finalist for MLS WORKS' Humanitarian of the Year Award, joined by Minnesota United FC's Matt Lampson and Columbus Crew SC's Wil Trapp.

Robles is in his third year serving as the spokesman for the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign. Robles and his wife, Cara, hosted a second-annual fundraising dinner and silent auction, with 100% of money raised going directly towards research to end childhood cancer. The end of Robles' 183-game iron-man streak was honored by Robles and the Red Bulls donating $18,300 to a family currently undergoing pediatric cancer patients. The Red Bulls and Tackle Kids Cancer also teamed up to wear custom cleats, designed by players and pediatric cancer patients, for the September home match against Toronto FC.

The Red Bulls captain makes monthly visits to children's hospitals on his own time, and volunteers at soccer clinics for underprivileged children. Robles leads the team in community relations efforts on behalf of the Red Bulls, and assists with clinics in his hometown.

With a first round bye, New York will wait for their semifinal matchup after the Knockout Round. The Red Bulls Eastern Conference Semifinals Leg One and Leg Two are set for Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 with New York hosting the second leg of the series.

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