Bradley Wright-Phillips

Bradley Wright-Phillips

Bradley Wright-Phillips playing for New York Red Bulls in 2014
Personal information
Full name Bradley Edward Wright-Phillips[1]
Date of birth (1985-03-12) 12 March 1985
Place of birth Lewisham, England
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 New York Red Bulls
Number 99
Youth career
2001–2004 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Manchester City 32 (2)
2006–2009 Southampton 111 (22)
2009–2011 Plymouth Argyle 32 (17)
2011–2013 Charlton Athletic 82 (31)
2013 → Brentford (loan) 15 (5)
2013– New York Red Bulls 107 (69)
National team
2005 England U20 5 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 01:47, 23 October 2016 (UTC).


Bradley Edward Wright-Phillips (born 12 March 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for the MLS team New York Red Bulls.

He began his career with Manchester City in the Premier League, before spending the remainder of his time in England in second and third tiers with Southampton, Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Brentford. Wright-Phillips joined the Red Bulls halfway through the 2013 season, helping them to the Supporters' Shield, and in his first full season he equalled the league's record for most goals in a single campaign with 27. He is a two-time MLS Golden Boot winner and currently holds the New York Red Bulls record for most goals scored. Wright-Phillips has also been described as the best ever Red Bulls player by manager Jesse Marsch.[3]

Internationally, Wright-Phillips earned five England U20 caps in 2005 and, since joining MLS, has rejected the opportunity to represent Jamaica.

Family and early life

Wright-Phillips is the son of former Arsenal and England player Ian Wright. His older half-brother, Shaun Wright-Phillips,[4] is his teammate at the New York Red Bulls. He grew up in Brockley, South London and attended the state school Kelsey Park School in Beckenham and then moved to Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College nearby in New Cross Gate.

Club career

Manchester City

He was the top scorer for the Manchester City reserve team in the 2003–04 season. On 6 December 2004, he scored his first Premier League goal, four minutes after making his league debut as a substitute for Jon Macken against Middlesbrough.[5] His only goal of the following season was the last in a 4–1 win over Birmingham City on 17 December 2005.[6]

Southampton

After many frustrating appearances for Manchester City, with few goals, he was sold to Championship team Southampton for £500,000 on 5 July 2006.[7] Half of the transfer fee was funded by a prize from Coca-Cola won in a competition by a fan.[8] He made an immediate impact at Southampton, scoring on his debut against Derby County at Pride Park, and scoring an impressive goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 2–0 win at St. Mary's. He scored a total of 11 goals in the 2006–07 season. In 2007–08 he started the season with goals against Burnley and Queens Park Rangers. He made a total of 121 appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals.

Plymouth Argyle

Wright-Phillips warming up for Plymouth Argyle in May 2010

At the end of the 2008–09 season, following Southampton's relegation to League One, Wright-Phillips was released from his contract at the club. On 15 July 2009, he signed a two-year deal with Plymouth Argyle of the Championship.[9] After he recovered from a knee injury, Wright-Phillips made his debut for the club on 15 September 2009 against Watford. The knee injury occurred once again, and he was sidelined for another long-term spell. In January 2010, Wright-Phillips made his long-awaited return for Argyle in the FA Cup against Newcastle United. He made his first start for the club against Coventry City in March 2010, and scored his first goal for Plymouth against Bristol City on 16 March 2010. On 11 December 2010, Wright-Phillips scored both goals against Exeter City in the Devon derby in a 2–0 Plymouth win, the second marked his 12th of the season.

Charlton Athletic

On 24 January 2011, it was announced that Wright-Phillips was moving to fellow League One club Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee.[10][11] He scored the only goal on his debut against Colchester United on 1 February 2011.[12] On 28 February 2012, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win at Chesterfield.[13] Wright-Phillips contributed 22 goals in 42 matches as Charlton Athletic won the 2011–12 Football League One title. He was released by Charlton at the end of the 2012–13 season.[14]

Loan to Brentford

On 19 February 2013, he joined Brentford on loan until the end of the season.[15] In his half season at the club he appeared in 15 league matches scoring 5 goals.

New York Red Bulls

2013

On 24 July 2013, Wright-Phillips joined the New York Red Bulls.[16][17] Despite joining the club in the latter part of the season Wright-Phillips was a contributor in helping New York capture its first major title, the MLS Supporters' Shield, playing seven regular season games and scoring once, the concluding goal in a 2–0 win against the Houston Dynamo at the BBVA Compass Stadium.[18] On 6 November, he netted against the same opposition in the Eastern Conference final, but his team were eliminated from the playoffs after extra time.[19]

2014

Wright-Phillips in training with Thierry Henry and Peguy Luyindula in August 2014

On 23 April 2014, Wright-Phillips scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win against the Dynamo, becoming the first Englishman to score three goals in an MLS game.[20] He secured his second hat-trick for New York on 10 May during a 5–4 home loss to the Chicago Fire. Of note, he scored the winner in a friendly against his father's team Arsenal,[21] and the equaliser against Bayern Munich in the 2014 MLS All-Star Game. Two days after the All-Star game, Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh claimed that Wright-Phillips' scoring exploits were producing international transfer interest in the player.[22] On 23 August 2014, he scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season in a 4–2 win against Montreal Impact to surpass Juan Pablo Ángel's club record for goals scored in a single season,[23] and on 20 September he returned from a short-term injury to record his third hat trick of the 2014 MLS season in a 4–1 win over Seattle Sounders FC.[24] On 26 October 2014 Wright-Phillips scored twice to equal the Major League Soccer season goal record of 27 goals as New York beat Sporting Kansas City 2–0 in the league’s regular-season finale.[25]

Wright-Phillips again scored twice for the Red Bulls in their first match of the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, once again against Kansas City in a 2–1 victory. He scored his third play-off goal against D.C. United in the first leg of the 2014 MLS Eastern Conference semi-final, helping New York to a 2–0 victory. The Red Bulls got to the Eastern Conference Final against the New England Revolution. In the first leg Wright-Phillips recklessly encroached upon Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth on a throw, earning his second yellow of the playoffs. He had to miss the second, do-or-die leg in Foxborough, where the Red Bulls’ season ended with a 2-2 tie losing the series 3-2 on aggregate thus missing MLS Cup Final.[26]

2015

Following his 2014 success, New York signed Wright-Phillips to a designated player contract for 2015.[27] On 22 March 2015 Wright-Phillips scored his first goal of the season and assisted Lloyd Sam on another in a 2–0 victory over rival D.C. United at Red Bull Arena earning him MLS Player of the Week honors.[28] The following week Wright-Phillips was selected to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance in a 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew in which he scored his second goal of the season and assisted on Mike Grella's game-winning goal.[29] On 10 May, he scored both goals as the Red Bulls won 2–1 at home against New York City FC in the first Hudson River derby between the two franchises,[30] and equalised in a 3–1 victory at the rivals' Yankee Stadium on 28 June.[31] On 11 July, he helped New York to a 4–1 victory over New England Revolution, scoring twice during the match.[32]

Bradley Wright-Phillips signing autographs after a match in 2016.

On 1 August 2015, Wright-Phillips scored the opening goal in a 3–1 away victory over Philadelphia Union. He was assisted on the goal by his brother Shaun who was making his debut for New York.[33] Eight days later he scored in his third New York derby of the season, opening a 2–0 home win.[34] On 30 August, Wright-Phillips scored two goals in helping New York to a 3–0 victory over D.C. United.[35] On 25 October Wright-Phillips scored the opening goal goal for New York in 2–1 victory over Chicago, helping Red Bulls clinch the 2015 MLS Supporters' Shield.[36] In the second leg of the Conference semi-finals against D.C. United in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, Wright-Phillips scored the only goal of the game in added time, and his team advanced 2–0 on aggregate.[37]

2016

On 24 April 2016, Wright-Phillips scored his first two goals of the season in helping New York come from behind to win 3–2 over Orlando City SC.[38] Wright-Phillips scored two goals and assisted on another in a win over New York City at Yankee Stadium on 21 May.[39]

In his 100th appearance with the club on 28 May, a 3–0 home win over Toronto FC, Wright-Phillips set an MLS record scoring a hat-trick in the first 27 minutes of the game; it was the fastest scored from the opening whistle in league history.[40] A week later, he was named as the Ethiad Player of the Month for May; recording six goals and two assists in May.[41] With his 8th goal in 6 games against New York City FC; Wright-Phillips tied Juan Pablo Ángel for club's most goals all-time with 62.[42] Wright-Phillips broke the all-time scoring record with his 63rd on 31 July against the Chicago Fire [43][44] Two weeks later he scored two goals against the Montreal Impact in a 3-1 victory; breaking another team record with 59 league goals.[45] After scoring the second goal in a 2–2 draw against D.C. United, Wright-Phillips broke an MLS record by scoring the most league goals over a three-year span with 62 spanning from the 2014–2016 seasons.[46] A record previously held by Chris Wondolowski from 2010–2012. With his 20th league goal in 2016, Wright-Phillips became the first player in league history to record two 20-plus goal seasons.[47] On 23 October, Wright-Phillips captured his second MLS Golden Boot title in three years, beating cross town rival, David Villa by one goal.[48]

International career

Wright-Phillips represented England at U20 level. He was first called up in February 2005 and he made his debut as a half time substitute in a 2-0 friendly victory against Russia.[49] He was called up again that summer for the 2005 Toulon Tournament where he played Tunisia,[50] South Korea[51] and the third-place playoff penalty shootout victory over Mexico.[52]

In addition to England, Wright-Phillips is eligible to represent Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago through his heritage. In 2015, Grenada and Jamaica both approached Wright-Phillips about a transfer of alliances but the player chose to concentrate on his club football.[53][54]

Personal life

On 9 March 2008, Wright-Phillips, along with Southampton team-mate Nathan Dyer, was accused of stealing money, mobile phones and other items from bar staff at Bar Bluu in Southsea in the early hours of 28 February 2008. CCTV footage taken at the time appeared to show a theft taking place.[55]

On 25 March 2008, Dyer and Wright-Phillips were both arrested over the theft and were questioned at a Portsmouth police station.[56] They were formally charged with burglary on 17 June. They appeared before Portsmouth magistrates on 8 July 2008.[57] Dyer was convicted of burglary and sentenced to community service and made to pay compensation and costs. Wright-Phillips pleaded not guilty, and opted to be tried at Crown Court. He was due to appear before Portsmouth magistrates again on 2 September 2008.[58] However, the case was dismissed by the District Judge following legal argument from Wright-Phillips' barrister, Rupert Bowers, that there was insufficient evidence.[59]

A year later, he and team-mate David McGoldrick were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a Southampton supporter while on a night out. The 21-year-old told police that he was attacked by the two footballers in a Southampton street as he made his way home from a night out. The incident is alleged to have happened on 7 February 2009 after players went drinking in the city.[60] On 13 March, the club announced: "After a thorough police investigation the Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to press any charges against either Bradley Wright-Phillips or David McGoldrick, and no further action will be taken against them."[61]

Wright-Phillips holds an active interest in grime music and is affiliated with Lewisham-based grime crew OGz having appeared on pirate radio sets with the group. In 2014 he clashed fellow footballer Yannick Bolasie for the long running grime DVD series Lord of the Mics.[62][63]

Career statistics

As of 6 November 2016[64]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 2004–05 141 1 0 2 0 — 171
2005–06 181 5 0 0 0 — 231
Total 322 6 0 2 0 — 402
Southampton 2006–07 398 2 0 3 3 — 4411
2007–08 398 3 0 1 0 — 438
2008–09 336 0 0 1 0 — 346
Total 11122 5 0 5 3 — 12125
Plymouth Argyle 2009–10 154 1 0 0 0 — 164
2010–11 1713 1 0 1 0 2 0 2113
Total 3217 2 0 1 0 2 0 3717
Charlton Athletic 2010–11 218 0 0 0 0 0 0 218
2011–12 4222 30 00 00 4522
2012–13 191 10 10 00 211
Total 8231 40 10 0 0 8731
Brentford (loan) 2012–13 155 0 0 0 0 2 0 175
Total 155 0 0 0 0 2 0 175
Club Season League US Open Cup Playoffs Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York Red Bulls 2013 7 1 0 0 2 1 — 9 2
2014 32 27 1 0 4 4 0 0 37 31
2015 34 17 2 0 4 1 — 40 18
2016 3424 2 0 2 1 2 0 4025
Total 10769 5 0 12 7 2 0 12676
Career total 379146 220 2110 6 0 428156

Honours

Club

Charlton Athletic
New York Red Bulls

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 78. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips profile". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  3. ↑ http://www.empireofsoccer.com/marsch-on-bradley-wright-phillips-best-red-bull-player-ever-53929/
  4. ↑ Tongue, Steve (6 February 2005). "The time is Wright - even if he's in the wrong place". The Independent. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Middlesbrough 3–2 Manchester City". BBC Sportl. 6 December 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  6. ↑ Daniel Taylor. "Premiership: Manchester City 4 - 1 Birmingham City - Football - The Guardian". the Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Saints Snap Up Man City Youngster". BBC Sport. 5 July 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  8. ↑ "Coca-Cola Kid has regained his fizz". Southern Daily Echo. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Wright-Phillips Joins Argyle". www.pafc.co.uk. 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  10. ↑ "Bradley on the Move". Plymouth Argyle FC. 24 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  11. ↑ Gary, Haines (24 January 2011). "Powell pounces for Wright-Phillips". Charlton Athletic FC. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  12. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (1 February 2011). "Charlton 1–0 Colchester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  13. ↑ "Chesterfield 0–4 Charlton". BBC Sport. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  14. ↑ "Wright-Phillips departure confirmed". Charlton Athletic. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "Brentford sign Charlton's Bradley Wright-Phillips on loan". BBC Sport. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  16. ↑ "Red Bulls Sign Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips". New York Red Bulls. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips signs for New York Red Bulls". BBC Sport. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  18. ↑ "Houston Dynamo 0, New York Red Bulls 3". Major League Soccer. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  19. ↑ Busfield, Steve (6 November 2013). "New York Red Bulls 1-2 Houston Dynamo – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  20. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips first Englishmen to score hat-trick in MLS". dailymail. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  21. ↑ Graham Parker. "New York Red Bulls 1-0 Arsenal - Pre-season friendly match report - Football - The Observer". the Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  22. ↑ "New York Red Bulls working on three potential moves, perhaps one for Designated Player". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  23. ↑ "BWP continues "Angelic" season with new club record". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  24. ↑ "New York Red Bulls confident hat trick hero Bradley Wright-Phillips will break MLS scoring record". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  25. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips joint highest scorer in MLS". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips looks to lift Red Bulls after last year's yellow card fiasco". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips signs as Designated Player ahead of 2015 season". New York Red Bulls. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  28. ↑ "RBNY blank conference rivals in home opener". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  29. ↑ "BWP, Perrinelle earn MLS Team of the Week honors". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  30. ↑ "New York Red Bulls 2-1 New York City FC". BBC Sport. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  31. ↑ "MATCH RECAP: New York City FC 1, New York Red Bulls 3". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  32. ↑ "New York Red Bulls 4, New England Revolution 1". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  33. ↑ "Philadelphia Union 1, New York Red Bulls 3". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  34. ↑ "New York City FC's Lampard-Pirlo-Villa axis falls to feisty Red Bulls". The Guardian. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "With dismantling of DC United, New York Red Bulls prove they're at their best when lights are brightest". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  36. ↑ "New York Red Bulls Claim Supporters' Shield With 2-1 Win At Chicago". newyorkredbulls.com. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  37. ↑ O'Keefe, Chris (8 November 2015). "Result: New York Red Bulls reach MLS Eastern Conference final". Sports Mole. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  38. ↑ "New York Red Bulls 3, Orlando City SC 2". newyorkredbulls.com. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  39. ↑ Rosano, Nicholas (21 May 2016). "New York City FC 0, New York Red Bulls 7". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  40. ↑ Crouch, Ben (28 May 2016). "New York Red Bulls 3, Toronto FC 0". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  41. ↑ Crouch, Ben (3 June 2016). "Bradley Wright-Phillips wins Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month for May". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  42. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips ties New York Red Bulls' all-time, all-competitions scoring record". OnceAMetro.com.
  43. ↑ "Chicago Fire 2, New York Red Bulls 2". MLS Soccer. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  44. ↑ Iapicco, Jason (1 August 2016). "Bradley Wright-Phillips now holds New York Red Bulls all-time scoring record". Once A Metro. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  45. ↑ Fido, Austin (13 August 2016). "Three Thoughts: New York Red Bulls hold serve, beat Montreal Impact 3-1". Once A Metro. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  46. ↑ Fido, Austin (11 September 2016). "New York Red Bulls Bradley Wright-Phillips has scored more MLS regular season goals in three years than anyone". Once A Metro. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  47. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips becomes first player with two 20-plus goal seasons". MLSSoccer.com.
  48. ↑ "New York Red Bulls' Bradley Wright-Phillips wins 2016 MLS Golden Boot". MLSSoccer.com.
  49. ↑ "U20S PASS RUSSIAN TEST". The Football Association. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  50. ↑ "FLYING START FOR ENGLAND". The Football Association. 2 June 2005. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  51. ↑ "ENGLAND ARE THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE TOULON TOURNAMENT AFTER A COMFORTABLE WIN OVER SOUTH KOREA.". The Football Association. 6 June 2005. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  52. ↑ "ENGLAND FINISH IN THIRD". The Football Association. 10 June 2005. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  53. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips not interested in representing Grenada: "I just want to focus on the Red Bulls"". MLSsoccer.com. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  54. ↑ Gordon Williams (12 September 2015). "Jamaica woos New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips | Sports". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  55. ↑ "Saints players filmed during alleged theft". www.thisishampshire.net. 9 March 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
  56. ↑ "Saints players arrested in theft probe". www.thisishampshire.net. Retrieved 25 March 2008.
  57. ↑ "Footballers charged over burglary". BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  58. ↑ "Wright-Phillips denies burglary". www.orange.co.uk. 9 July 2008. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  59. ↑ "Wright-Phillips case is dropped". BBC News. 2 September 2008.
  60. ↑ "Two Southampton strikers arrested". BBC Sport. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  61. ↑ "McGoldrick / Wright-Phillips update". Southampton FC. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  62. ↑ "The Return of Lord of the Mics". Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  63. ↑ "Footballers to engage in epic rap battle in highly anticipated `Lord of the Mics` DVD". Yahoo News India. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  64. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  65. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips presented with Castrol Index Top Player award". New York Red Bulls. 20 November 2014.
  66. ↑ "Red Bulls announce annual Team Awards winners". New York Red Bulls. 26 November 2014.
  67. ↑ "Bradley Wright-Phillips voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month". New York Red Bulls. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bradley Wright-Phillips.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/20/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.