The New York Red Bulls will introduce Legends Row, a new honor for the most elite former players and their outstanding contributions to the club.
The first inductee will be Luis Robles.
Players inducted into Legends Row possess the rare combination of top end talent on the field and the ability to live the values of the club within the community. For their dedication to our club, their names will forever be enshrined within Red Bull Arena.
Robles was surprised with the news during an interview with MSG.
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"I’m speechless... and for those who know me and played with me, for me to be speechless is saying a lot," Robles said after the surprise video announcement. "What an incredible honor, what an incredible… yeah, it’s going to be awesome. Wow."
"To relive the memories, to step into this building, to be a part of the fans, and take in the game is special," Robles said. "But those eight years are not only for my family but for me personally, the best years of my life."
To be available to be selected into Legends Row the player must have been retired for at least two years.
Robles will be the first induction into Legends Row on Sunday, July 17, 2022. The Red Bulls will host a post-match celebration immediately following the New York Derby.
"The memory for me that’s really special is in 2013 on the very last game of the season with the trophy at stake, we ended up beating Chicago," Robles said. "Seeing Fernando Ruiz hold up the Supporter’s Shield in front of the South Ward to me is a memory etched in my mind forever that’s something I’ll never forget."
"Of course, we won it two more times, but for a guy like Fernando who committed his life and even his legacy as Sean continues that here at Red Bull Arena, to be a part of that celebration to be able to lift the very first piece of silverware that this franchise ever got to hold, that ever earned, that ever won, is truly special."
Robles played for the New York Red Bulls from 2012-2019. For his career, Robles amassed a 114-71-53 mark with 72 clean sheets and a 1.29 GAA. Robles ranks sixth all-time in league history with 114 goalkeeper wins and eighth in shutouts with 72.
"I’m glad that I got to witness that, I’m glad that I got to be a part of that and wherever Fernando is right now I want everyone to know that he is a pioneer and everything, and the memories we have on the field are because of people like him that have been part of this organization who have believed to have committed and sacrificed so much that we can have a product and have the sort of team that is capable of winning those trophies."
Robles helped the Red Bulls to three MLS Supporters’ Shields, bringing the first silverware to the club. He served as captain for the 2018 Supporters’ Shield winning team and wore the armband for a second year in 2019.
"If it wasn’t for the beautiful advice of my wife to Google 'Major League Soccer' and get their phone number and call them myself and try to find my own way into the league, I probably wouldn’t have been able to experience that," Robles said. "So, when I think of 183, I think of two things: I think of the support of a family and a circle that always had my back and always believed in me - that includes my parents, my in-laws, but more importantly, my wife. And then an organization that gave me that chance. There’s no way on September 29 of 2012 -- when we played against Toronto and five minutes in, they scored from distance -- I thought this is going be the first of a streak that, like you said, may never be broken."
He owns MLS’ Ironman streak with 183 consecutive complete games played and earned MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2015.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the organization, for the fans, for everyone that’s a part of this legacy the New York Red Bulls to let me even have that chance to set that record," Robles said.