New York Red Bulls honor tradition, pass in 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft

Change is important for growth, but there is a value to tradition. This is a time of year when traditions crowd the calendar. Halloween, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s Eve: all mean different things to different people for different reasons - all representative of the sustaining power of tradition.

The New York Red Bulls have their own tradition; a longstanding ritual, typically observed in mid-December: passing on the Re-Entry Draft. RBNY has never made a selection in the Re-Entry Draft. This is a comforting rite in which the club marks the passing of another MLS season by dialing into a league-wide conference call to pass on a draft.

By honoring its traditions, RBNY renews itself for another year in pursuit of titles, trophies, and the hopes for the continued indulgence of its benefactor, Papa Red Bull (the Re-Entry Draft started in 2010: it is very much a tradition of the Red Bull era of MLS’ twice-named New York founding franchise ).

Once A Metro encourages Red Bulls fans to join in this annual affirmation of their club’s history and renewal of its purpose for the new year: go ahead and ignore something you’ve never had any interest in, RBNY fans - you’ve earned it. Treat yourself on this special day.

The Red Bulls passed on Stage 1 of the 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Stage 2 will take place on December 20. Overall, three players were selected in the Re-Entry Draft on December 14: Toronto FC picked Nick DeLeon (formerly of D.C. United); Real Salt Lake picked Donny Toia (its first ever Homegrown Player signing, but most recently with Orlando City); Colorado Rapids picked underused NYCFC back-up goalkeeper Andre Rawls.