R. J. Allen

Robert James "R. J." Allen (born April 17, 1990) is an American professional soccer player. Predominantly a right-sided defender, Allen is the older brother of soccer player Brandon Allen.[1]

R. J. Allen
Personal information
Full name Robert James Allen
Date of birth (1990-04-17) April 17, 1990
Place of birth Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
2008–2011 Monmouth Hawks
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Central Jersey Spartans 13 (3)
2013 Skive IK 13 (0)
2015–2017 New York City FC 53 (1)
2018 Orlando City SC 18 (0)
2019 FC Motown 5 (0)
2019 Philadelphia Union 0 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 20, 2019

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

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 November 2, 2015 after a disappointing season.[12]

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

On April 27, 2016, Allen scored his first MLS goal in a 1–1 tie against the Montreal Impact.[13] During a match on May 15, 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]

Orlando City

In December 2017, Allen was traded by NYCFC to Orlando City SC in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, reuniting him with manager Jason Kreis.[17] After one season in Orlando which also saw the departure of Kreis, Allen was waived by the team on February 6, 2019.

Philadelphia Union

In July 2019, Allen rejoined the American top flight and signed with Philadelphia Union competing in MLS.[18] Allen was released by Philadelphia at the end of the season.[19]

Career statistics
As of February 6, 2019[20]
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
2017 MLS 1500000—150
Total 531102000561
Orlando City 2018 MLS 18 0 2 0 0 0 — 20 0
Total 841302000891

Honors
New York City:

MLS Team of the Week:

FIFA Team of the Week:

  • FIFA 2016: Week 42[22]

NYCFC Player of the Month:

Endorsements

In 2017, Allen became an ambassador for Concave football boot, and always plays with the Concave Aura+ cleats.

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. "Robert Allen – SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us.
  5. "Match Fit Chelsea Alumnus RJ Allen Drafted by Chivas USA of Major League Soccer – Match Fit Chelsea FC". Matchfitacademy.net. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. 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 August 11, 2016.
  8. Butler, Dylan (July 24, 2016). "Family Feud: Allen brothers on opposite sides of New York derby". Mlssoccer. MLS. Retrieved August 11, 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. May 10, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  11. "RJ Allen". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  12. "Jason Kreis leaves post as New York City FC Head Coach". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. November 2, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  13. "RJ Allen – New York City FC". Archived from the original on September 26, 2017.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  14. Dunn, Sam (May 16, 2016). "Did RJ Allen make the greatest assist in NYCFC history on Sunday night in Portland?". Hudson River Blue. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  15. "RJ Allen Named to MLS Team of the Week (Week 13)". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  16. "MLS Assists".
  17. "Orlando City SC Acquires RJ Allen, Stéfano Pinho; Re-Signs Dillon Powers". December 18, 2017.
  18. "Philadelphia Union Sign Defender RJ Allen". Philadelphia Union. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  19. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/11/20/philadelphia-union-announce-roster-decisions-2020-season
  20. "R.J. Allen profile". Soccerway. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  21. "R.J. Allen Named to Major League Soccer Team of the Week for Week 30". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  22. "RJ Allen Named to FIFA Team of the Week". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  23. "Etihad Airways Player of the Month (May): RJ Allen". NYCFC.com. NYCFC. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
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