New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips notched his 100th league goal on Wednesday night at Audi Field, becoming the fastest player to hit the century mark in MLS history.
“It was kind of lucky," Wright-Phillips said following the game, as the record-breaking goal squirted through David Ousted's hands on a wet night in Washington D.C.
Wright-Phillips scored his 100 regular season goals in just 159 games. Taylor Twellman was the previous record holder, hitting the century mark in 174 games.
"I’m obviously happy," Wright-Phillips said, nearly five years to the day from signing with the organization. "Not just to score 100 goals, but to do it for this club, means a lot to me. They gave me a chance.”
To celebrate, Wright-Phillips peeled off his game-issued jersey to reveal a second jersey underneath. Instead of his traditional "99" on the back, it read "100."
“It was an idea that was brought to me and I liked it," he said. "I wanted to show the traveling fans the jersey underneath. It was kind of warm under there honestly. I got my chance and it was great. As soon as I got it I was relieved."
BWP's strike was not only a historic moment -- it was also the difference in New York's 1-0 victory over D.C. United.
Head Coach Chris Armas had nothing but praise for his striker.
“What a day to celebrate Bradley Wright-Phillips," Armas said. "He’s obviously a club legend, but we’ve all been privileged, whoever’s spent some time around him -- this is my fourth year with him -- to just be part of his 100th goal, that it comes in a derby match and a meaningful one on the road. It’s a big win for him. I’m really happy for Brad.”
And his record is just the latest in a line of amazing moments for BWP in a Red Bulls kit, according to Aaron Long.
"Brad is the best we expect him to score goals like that," Long said. "We know he’s going to score goals, he’s going to keep scoring goals. He is the fastest to 100 ever, that says something great about him."
