New York Red Bulls appoint Dax McCarty captain for the 2015 season

Every team needs a captain, and the New York Red Bulls' on-field leader for the past four seasons has retired, so the armband was up for grabs. It has now been grabbed.

You can call him Captain. @DaxMcCarty11 named Captain of the 2015 squad. #RBNY #runwithus pic.twitter.com/i4fE43xHlE

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) March 6, 2015

Congrats, Dax!

McCarty joined RBNY mid-way through the 2011 season, making his debut in a 2-2 draw in San Jose. He is, per MetroFanatic's exemplary chronicles of this team's history, the 250th player in club history.

Since joining the Red Bulls, he has racked up 128 appearances in all competitions (13th all time for the club), 10720 minutes (9th on the all-time list), 10 goals and 17 assists.

He's a central midfielder whose strengths are primarily ball-winning and efficient distribution to more creative or attack-minded teammates. But every once in a while, he does something particularly memorable to catch the eye of the highlight-makers:

And within him there lurks an alter-ego: Daxinho, impudent master of the ball.

He wears his heart on his sleeve, or - as tends to be more common in this age - on his Twitter handle:

The amount of pride I feel in being named captain of #RBNY can't be put into words. Stoked to get going. Thanks to everyone for the support.

— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) March 6, 2015

Congrats again, Dax. Lead the way.