In February 2018, the New York Red Bulls will take part in the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. This year marks the fourth time of the club’s involvement in the competition, with the most recent appearance coming in 2016-17.
Last season, in only their third SCCL appearance of all-time, the Red Bulls advanced out of the Group Stage and into the Quarterfinals of the Knockout Round. After two hard-fought legs, the team lost to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on aggregate, 3-1. Sacha Kljestan led the team in goals in the 2017 campaign with two throughout the Red Bulls’ six matches.
Kljestan is the club’s all-time leading scorer in the SCCL with two goals. Bradley Wright-Phillips, Alex Muyl and Connor Lade are the only other active Red Bulls players with a SCCL goal, all scoring one goal respectively.
Upon featuring in the 2018 edition of SCCL, New York will be tied for second among MLS teams with four appearances in SCCL (2009/10, 2014/15, 2016/17, 2018). Toronto FC, LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC are the only clubs to have more appearances (5).
In their three appearances, the Red Bulls are 3-3-6. Under current head coach Jesse Marsch, the Red Bulls are 2-1-3 in the SCCL.
With a new format in this year’s tournament, a 16-team two-legged knockout tournament without a preceding group stage, the Red Bulls will aim to carve their name into the record books by becoming the first MLS team to win the CCL since it’s reshaping in 2008.
