John Wolyniec

A veteran of MLS, Wolyniec returns to the Red Bulls for his ninth season with the club. Providing key leadership and ability as a target man, Wolyniec scored four goals in all competitions in 2009. The only player in Red Bulls history to have scored in the MLS Cup Final, Wolyniec is second all-time in appearances (138) and fifth (in regular season goals (26) and goals scored in all competitions (32) entering 2010.

Professional:

2009: Made 20 appearances and eight starts. Scored game-winning goal on April 29 in 2-1 U.S. Open Cup win over San Jose. Tallied two game-tying goals in regular season play and scored team’s only goal in second leg of CONCACAF Champions League 2-1 loss against W Connection on Aug. 5. Injured right ankle on Sept. 18 after scoring a goal in 1-1 tie against New England. Underwent season-ending surgery to remove bone chips on Oct. 6.

2008: Played in 19 games, started in five. Notched an assist in a 2-0 win over San Jose on April 27. Started all four playoff games alongside Juan Pablo Angel. Scored a goal against Houston in the second leg of the teams’ Western Conference Semifinal Series on Nov. 9. Became the first player in club history to score a goal in the MLS Cup Final, slotting home a Dane Richards through ball in New York’s 3-1 loss to Columbus on Nov. 23 in Carson, CA. Tallied a team-high eight goals and three assists in 11 MLS Reserve League matches.

2007: Contributed three goals and two assists. All three goals (May 19, July 18, July 22) were game-winners and he is tied for the club all-time lead in that category with 10.

2006: After being traded by the Los Angeles where he scored one goal, Wolyniec would score three goals for the Red Bulls – all three coming in consecutive games (Aug. 26, Aug. 30, Sept. 3). Would also notch two assists.

2005: Was traded to Columbus from New York on June 7 for Ante Razov. Scored twice at Chivas USA on Sept. 3.

2004: Wolyniec tied for the team lead in scoring as both he and Amado Guevara had 10 goals.

2003: Wolyniec posted a breakout season, scoring five goals and two assists for 12 points.

2002: Finished the season as Milwaukee’s (A-League) leading goal scorer with 10 tallies and five assists for 25 points in 26 games played. Named MVP of the A-League final after helping Milwaukee to the championship.

2001: Played Started the season with Chicago before being traded to New England. Ended the year with Rochester of the A-League.

2000: Appeared in 15 games, starting one, and recorded one goal and one assist for three points in his first season with Chicago.

1999: Appeared in four games as a substitute for New York, while scoring in the first five minutes of his debut on Aug. 18 in a 4-2 home loss to Columbus. Was the second highest scorer on the A-League’s Long Island Rough Riders with 15 goals and seven assists for 37 points.

International:
Has appeared twice for the U.S. National Team. Both appearances came in 2004 with his first on Jan. 18 in a 1-1 draw with Denmark at The Home Depot Center when he came on as an 88th minute sub for Chris Armas. His second cap and first start came on March 13 in a 1-1 tie vs. Haiti.

Collegiate/Club:
Fordham University’s all-time leading scorer (1995-98) with 75 goals and 36 assists for 186 points. Named the Fordham Male Athlete of the Year (1998). Was the 1998 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. A three-time First Team All-Atlantic 10 honoree, he led Division I scoring in 1997 and 1998.

Personal:
Hobbies include playing the guitar. Favorite band is Led Zeppelin. Majored in mathematics. Post-soccer career plans include going back to school. Favorite restaurant on the road is Cheesecake Factory. All-time favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. Big New York Jets and New York Yankees fan. Enjoys crossword puzzles.