R. J. Allen

R. J. Allen
Personal information
Full name Robert James Allen
Date of birth (1990-04-17) April 17, 1990
Place of birth Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, United States
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
 New York City FC
Number 27
Youth career
2008–2011 Monmouth Hawks
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Central Jersey Spartans 13 (3)
2013 Skive IK 13 (0)
2015– New York City FC 38 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 09:22, 1 November 2016 (UTC).


Robert James "R. J." Allen (born April 17, 1990) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays as a defender for New York City FC in Major League Soccer. Allen is the older brother of soccer player Brandon Allen.[1]

Career

High school

Allen attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, between 2004 and 2008 where he played soccer all four years.[2]

College and amateur

Allen played four years of college soccer at Monmouth University between 2008 and 2011.[3]

While at college, Allen appeared for USL PDL side Central Jersey Spartans in 2010 and 2011.[4]

Professional

On January 17, 2012, Allen was selected 5th overall in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by Chivas USA.[5] Allen didn't sign with Chivas USA, instead later signing with Danish side Skive IK in February 2013.[6]

Allen returned to the United States and had trials with D.C United, Orlando City, New York Red Bulls, and the New York Cosmos ahead of the 2015 MLS season. During this time, Allen was contacted by New York City FC to train with David Villa before the beginning of the season, which he did with future Red Bull Mike Grella. Allen was not offered a professional contract prior to the 2015 season, taking a job as a youth soccer coach on Staten Island instead.[7][8]

New York City FC

2015 Season

After a slow start to their inaugural season, New York City FC offered Allen a contract on May 2, 2015.[9] Allen made his NYCFC debut the following day as a substitute in a 3-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Allen got his first start the following week in the first Hudson River Derby against the New York Red Bulls, during which he assisted Patrick Mullins on the team's only goal in a 2-1 loss.[10] Allen made 13 starts in 14 appearances during the 2015 season,[11] drifting in and out of favor under manager Jason Kries, who was fired on 2 November 2015 after a disappointing season.[12]

2016 Season

Under new manager Patrick Viera, Allen solidified himself as the first choice right or left back.

On 27 April 2016, Allen scored his first MLS goal in a 1-1 tie against the Montreal Impact.[13] During a match on 15 May 2016 against the Portland Timbers, Allen set up the first goal by playing a 50-yard through ball to striker David Villa. This pass by Allen has been called the one of the 'greatest assists in NYCFC history' by some reporters.[14]Allen recorded his second assist of the season on 29 May against Orlando City, in a performance that would earn him MLS team of the week honors.[15]

RJ finished the season with 6 assists. This was the joint highest total in the league for a defender.[16]

Career Statistics

As of 9 November 2016[17]
Club Season League Cup Playoffs Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Skive 2012-13 1st Division 13000——130
NYCFC 2015 MLS 14010——150
2016 MLS 2410020—261
Total 381102000411
Total 511102000541

Honors

New York City:

MLS Team of the Week:

FIFA Team of the Week:

NYCFC Player of the Month:

References

  1. ↑ "Brandon Allen Georgetown Bio". GUHoyas.com.
  2. ↑ RJ Allen, Monmouth Hawks. Accessed August 15, 2016.
  3. ↑ "RJ Allen Biography - MonmouthHawks.com—The Official Web site of Monmouth University Athletics". Monmouthhawks.com. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  4. ↑ http://soccerstats.us/bios/robert-allen/
  5. ↑ "Match Fit Chelsea Alumnus RJ Allen Drafted by Chivas USA of Major League Soccer - Match Fit Chelsea FC". Matchfitacademy.net. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Pro Prospects: Brief lesson in German | Club Soccer | Youth Soccer". Topdrawersoccer.com. February 6, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ "R.J. Allen's journey from Monmouth to New York City FC". Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  8. ↑ Butler, Dylan (24 July 2016). "Family Feud: Allen brothers on opposite sides of New York derby". Mlssoccer. MLS. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "New York City FC Sign Defender RJ Allen | New York City FC". Nycfc.com. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ "HIGHLIGHTS: New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC | May 10, 2015". Mlssoccer.com. MLS. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  11. ↑ "RJ Allen". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  12. ↑ "Jason Kreis leaves post as New York City FC Head Coach". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  13. ↑ http://www.nycfc.com/players/32/rj-allen
  14. ↑ Dunn, Sam (2016-05-16). "Did RJ Allen make the greatest assist in NYCFC history on Sunday night in Portland?". Hudson River Blue. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  15. 1 2 "RJ Allen Named to MLS Team of the Week (Week 13)". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "MLS Assists".
  17. ↑ "R.J. Allen profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  18. ↑ "R.J. Allen Named to Major League Soccer Team of the Week for Week 30". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  19. ↑ "RJ Allen Named to FIFA Team of the Week". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  20. ↑ "Etihad Airways Player of the Month (May): RJ Allen". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
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