Walkouts signed football shirts New York Red Bulls

About

The New York Red Bulls, established on 01 January 1995, are an American professional football club based in Harrison, United States and compete in Major League Soccer. Walkouts is the specialist retailer reference for signed football shirts and related memorabilia, and this page focuses on provenance, eras and collector relevance for supporters and long-term fans.

The club began life as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars for MLS's inaugural seasons and was rebranded after the 2006 takeover, with home fixtures moving from Giants Stadium to the redeveloped sporting precinct and, since 2010, to Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. That stadium shift and the MetroStars era both matter to collectors who value original crest variations and early-season retail runs.

On the pitch the Red Bulls have reached two MLS Cup finals and have lifted the league's regular season trophy several times, notably winning three Supporters' Shield titles. The side has also gone deep in regional competition, achieving a best finish of the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals, milestones that make shirts from those campaigns especially sought after. IFFHS lists the club at 501 in its global rankings, a single-line context for comparative interest.

Collectors prize official retail shirts alongside match-worn items, and the club's changing identity from MetroStars to Red Bulls produces clear provenance markers on collars, sponsors and sleeve patches. Anniversary editions and limited runs often carry commemorative details that separate later reprints from early season retail stock, so provenance and visible run marks are important when assessing a piece.

Key collector magnets for New York include anniversary and milestone releases, plus shirts tied to standout seasons. Examples commonly chased are the club's 2018 Supporters' Shield run, the 2010 opening season at the new stadium, and the 2008 MLS Cup final campaign, each with distinctive kit variations and match provenance. Away kits also feature centrally, with certain colourways associated with decisive results on the road and fans often seeking matching match reports or photo evidence to support provenance.

Retail shirts are themselves collectible, not only match-worn shirts, and demand focuses on early retail runs, player-issue variants and region-specific releases sold through the club shop. Provenance notes and COA tags increase buyer confidence, and the vibrant market for the red away shirt used during late 2018 road wins shows how a single colourway can gain a following among framed shirt buyers and signature hunters.

For those tracing pieces from the MetroStars archive through to the Red Bulls era, the 2020 25 seasons commemorative releases and the 2018 Supporters' Shield season remain two of the most referenced moments when verifying provenance. Signed fanshop shirts, player-issue variants and framed retail pieces from 2010 and 2018 often command attention for their ties to Sports Illustrated Stadium match nights and key away victories, and sellers commonly supply match details or photo evidence at sale close.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 2018 White/red MLS Supporters’ Shield
  • 2010 White/red Red Bull Arena inaugural
  • 2000 Black/red MLS MetroStars peak

Iconic away kits

  • 2015 Navy MLS away set
  • 2018 Red MLS road wins
  • 2013 Black Supporters’ Shield era alternate

Anniversary shirts

  • 2020 25 seasons commemorative detail

Collector seasons

  • 2018 MLS Supporters’ Shield
  • 2010 MLS RBA opening season
  • 2008 MLS Cup finalists

Honours

The club's highest domestic achievements are highlighted by three Supporters' Shield triumphs, a mark of the best regular-season record in Major League Soccer. New York reached the league's championship match on two occasions, finishing as runners-up in the 2008 MLS Cup final and again in 2024. Cup runs have also been notable, with appearances in two U.S. Open Cup finals, ending as runners-up. On the continental stage the side advanced to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League, losing to Guadalajara in a deep run that remains a high-water mark for international competition. The club's standing has been recorded by international aggregators and it is listed with an IFFHS rank of 501. Taken together, these results underline a history of regular-season excellence and repeat contention in knockout finals.

Legends & Leadership

Thierry Henry is widely regarded for his influence during the early 2010s and for bringing global profile and scoring prowess to the club as a recent key player.

Tab Ramos is remembered as a legend player of the late 1990s who helped establish the club's early identity during the MetroStars era.

Juan Pablo Ángel is noted as a recent key player from the early 2000s whose goals and presence defined the attacking line in that period.

Red Bull GmbH has been the club's owner since the mid 2000s and is credited with re-branding and integrating the team into an international football network.

Stadium

Sports Illustrated Stadium is the club's recognised home and has hosted matches since 2010 after the team left Giants Stadium, creating a modern matchday base in Harrison. The ground is central to the team's identity and local culture, with supporters forming a vocal presence that helps fuel the rivalry fixtures. The Hudson River Derby against New York City FC is a fixture that shapes atmospheres across the season and the club maintains historic rivalries with New England Revolution and D.C. United that add extra edge to key home games. Matchdays at the stadium are characterised by coordinated supporter displays, close local travel for away fans and a distinct local feel that underlines the club's place in the New York metropolitan football scene.

Also known as
Sports Illustrated Stadium
Local derby
Hudson River Derby New York City FC local rivalry

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification MetroStars vs RBNY era tags
  • Suppliers Nike/Adidas eras; check codes
  • Provenance 2018 Shield shirts sought

FAQ

Q: When was the club founded and what name did it start with? A: The organisation traces its origins to 1995 and began league play as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.

Q: Where do the Red Bulls play their home matches? A: Home fixtures are staged at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, which replaced Giants Stadium as the club’s venue in 2010.

Q: What are the club's biggest honours and near-misses? A: The team has lifted multiple Supporters' Shield titles and has twice reached the MLS Cup final, and detailed lists of trophies are available from official records.

Q: How can I verify authentic merchandise? A: Official items can be verified with a COA or digital verification where offered and collectors should seek exact photo proof or witnessed signing when available.