Sean Nealis Explained

Sean Nealis
Fullname:Sean Nealis
Birth Date:January 13, 1997
Birth Place:Massapequa, New York, United States
Height:[1]
Currentclub:New York Red Bulls
Clubnumber:15
Position:Defender
Collegeyears1:2015–2018
College1:Hofstra Pride
Collegecaps1:72
Collegegoals1:4
Years1:2018
Clubs1:Westchester Flames
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–
Clubs2:New York Red Bulls
Caps2:129
Goals2:3
Years3:2019
Clubs3:New York Red Bulls II
Caps3:20
Goals3:3
Club-Update:March 25, 2024

Sean Nealis (born January 13, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

Career

Youth and college

Born in Massapequa, New York, Nealis began playing soccer at the age of seven.[2] In his junior year of high school, he led the Massapequa Chiefs to a NYSPHSAA Class AA Championship. Nealis attended Hofstra University, where he was a member of the varsity soccer team for four years. During his senior season he was recognized as the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year.[3] In 2018, Nealis played five games in the PDL with Westchester Flames.

He is the younger brother of former Georgetown Hoyas, Long Island Rough Riders and New York Cosmos defender, Jimmy Nealis. His older brother, Connor, played for Binghamton University. Nealis' younger brother, Dylan, was a member of the Georgetown Men's Soccer National Championship Team in 2019 and was drafted third overall by Inter Miami in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Dylan later joined his brother as a Red Bull in 2021.[4]

New York Red Bulls

On January 11, 2019, Nealis was drafted in the second round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, by the New York Red Bulls.[5] After a strong preseason with the club, Nealis signed an MLS contract on February 17.[6] On February 27, 2019, Nealis made his professional and New York Red Bulls debut coming on in the second half for Aaron Long in 3–0 victory over Atlético Pantoja in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.[7] A few days later, on March 2, 2019, Nealis made his league debut with the club, appearing in a 1–1 draw with Columbus Crew.[8] On May 11, 2019, Nealis scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 victory over FC Dallas.[9]

Nealis became a regular starter for New York during the 2021 season. On August 25, 2021, he signed a three-year contract extension, with an additional option year.[10] On October 23, 2021, Nealis scored the winning goal for New York in a 2–1 victory over Columbus Crew.[11]

Toward the end of the 2022 season, New York once again handed Nealis a contract extension through the 2026 season with an option for 2027.[12] Nealis was named team captain for New York for the 2023 season. On September 23, 2023, Nealis scored his first goal of the season, the go ahead goal in a 5–3 victory over D.C. United.[13]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Westchester Flames2018[14] PDL5050
New York Red Bulls2019MLS91001000101
2020600060
2021281000010291
2022330500010390
2023311104030391
2024220002000240
Total12936070501473
New York Red Bulls II (loan)2019USL20310213
Career total15466070601736

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sean Nealis . 22 August 2022 . New York Red Bulls.
  2. Web site: Sean Nealis Hofstra Bio - 2018 Men's Soccer Roster. GoHofstra.com. Hofstra University Athletics. 14 May 2020.
  3. Web site: CLOSE TO HOME: Red Bulls grab Hofstra's Nealis in 2nd round of the draft. frontrowsoccer.com. Front Row Soccer. 11 January 2019. 14 May 2020.
  4. Web site: Bulls . New York Red . New York Red Bulls Acquire Defender Dylan Nealis From Nashville SC . 2023-08-07 . New York Red Bulls . en.
  5. Web site: Red Bulls select Roy Boateng, Janos Loebe, Sean Nealis and Rece Buckmaster in the first two rounds. newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. January 11, 2019. May 14, 2020.
  6. Web site: New York Red Bulls Sign MLS SuperDraft Pick Sean Nealis. newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. February 17, 2019. May 14, 2020.
  7. Web site: RBNY dispatch "explosive" Atletico Pantoja in CCL, turn focus to Santos . mlssoccer.com . Major League Soccer. February 28, 2019. May 14, 2020.
  8. Web site: New York Red Bulls Grab Point in Columbus. newyorkredbulls.com. New York Red Bulls. March 2, 2019. May 14, 2020.
  9. Web site: Nealis, White Help Red Bulls Past FC Dallas 3-1. Fox Sports. May 11, 2019. May 11, 2019.
  10. Web site: New York Red Bulls sign Sean Nealis to multi-year contract extension . MLSSoccer.com. 2021-08-28. en.
  11. Web site: Columbus Crew falls 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls. columbuscrew.com. Columbus Crew. October 23, 2021. October 23, 2021.
  12. Web site: New York Red Bulls Sign Long Island Native Sean Nealis to New MLS Contract .
  13. Web site: Red Bulls Pour On Goals in 5-3 Defeat of D.C. . www.newyorkredbulls.com.
  14. Web site: Westchester Flames - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Sean Nealis -. 18 February 2021. www.uslleaguetwo.com.