The New York Red Bulls’ home opener on March 22 will star a familiar face in a brand new role. Midfielder Dax McCarty has played 111 games in a Red Bulls shirt, but his 112th could be his most meaningful yet. On Sunday, McCarty is set to bring in a new era in club history in his 2015 home debut as New York Red Bulls captain against rivals D.C. United.
Throughout his Red Bulls career, McCarty has served as a leader by example on the pitch and in the locker room. He has established a special bond with fans over the years and cemented himself as a constant in the starting XI ever since his arrival. In the last four seasons, he has already provided special moments for Red Bulls fans: a 94th minute game-winner against Real Salt Lake, the chip of Bobby Shuttlesworth to equalize with 10-men (Red Bulls went on to win 2-1) and serving as a consistent starter for the 2013 Supporters’ Shield champion Red Bulls to name a few. He is also on pace to ascend the Red Bulls all-time leaders list in games played, games started, and minutes played. But now, in his fifth season with New York, he will create new memories as he fulfills his dream as team captain.
“Being named captain of the New York Red Bulls for me is a dream come true,” McCarty said. “I’ve been through a lot in MLS, I’ve been on this team, the Red Bulls, now for going on five years now and so I take a lot of pride in how this team does and how we do so I want to win every game, I never want to lose a game...I just want to try to be one of the leaders of a team that our fans can be proud of.”
McCarty, a native of Winter Park, Fla., began his road to MLS at the University of North Carolina where he enjoyed a successful two-year career. He was drafted by FC Dallas in the first round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft and remained with the team for five seasons. His strong club performances grabbed the attention of U.S. Soccer and has resulted in five caps as a U.S. international. D.C. United acquired McCarty ahead of the 2011 season and awarded him the honor of team captain. He held this title for four months until he was acquired from D.C. United on June 27, 2011 by the Red Bulls in exchange for Dwayne De Rosario.
“When we got to the point to make the decision for him to be the captain, he was honored, he was excited, he thinks it’s the time in his career for a responsibility like that,” Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch said. “That’s the biggest thing for a captain: It becomes so much less internal and so much more external, and so helping him and all of our leaders understand that they can’t just focus on themselves, but they’ve got to have the mission of the group on their minds.”
The Red Bulls played out a draw on the road against Sporting Kansas City in McCarty’s first match as captain, but the current mission now seems much more important: defeat heated rivals D.C. United. As someone who has been on both sides, McCarty understands the importance of his first home match as captain.
“This is probably, in my opinion the biggest rivalry in MLS,” McCarty said. “Certainly one of the oldest ones in MLS and the game always holds extra special meaning to the fans so when it comes to the players, that’s not lost on us. We certainly feel like if we win this game against D.C. United it will set the tone for the rest of our season.”
Despite all the new faces, high expectations and the outside noise, McCarty is focused and prepared for the long road that lies ahead in 2015.
Be sure to catch McCarty’s first match at Red Bull Arena as team captain on Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m. EDT (TV: ESPN2). Tickets are still available.
