By Tiffany Williams –
The New York Red Bulls have officially signed Long Island native Tim Parker to a one-year MLS contract, extending through the 2025 season with an option for 2026, as announced by the club Thursday.
“We are excited to welcome Tim back to the New York Red Bulls,” said Head of Sport Jochen Schneider. “Tim has been a member of some incredible moments in our club’s history and we are looking forward to having him in our locker room and helping create more great memories for our club.”
Parker, who is 31 years old, brings with him a wealth of experience from a decade-long tenure in Major League Soccer (MLS). His career trajectory includes stints with several clubs: the New England Revolution, St. Louis City SC, Houston Dynamo, Vancouver Whitecaps, and, of course, the Red Bulls. In 2024, Parker played in seven matches with the Revolution, but his most notable recent achievement was with St. Louis City SC. During their inaugural season in 2023, he not only helped the team capture the Western Conference title but also earned a spot on the MLS All-Star Roster and was recognized as an MLS Best XI selection, accumulating a total of 56 appearances and netting six goals during his time there.
Hailing from Hicksville, N.Y., Parker previously played for the Red Bulls for three seasons. During his tenure, he made a remarkable 95 appearances across all competitions, contributing three goals and three assists. His journey with the Red Bulls began in the 2018 season, when he was acquired via trade from Vancouver. That year, Parker played a pivotal role in the team’s success, contributing to their winning of the Supporters’ Shield. His defensive prowess was highlighted in the playoffs, as he became the first defender in franchise history to score a goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs during the Eastern Conference Final against Atlanta United FC. Parker was instrumental in anchoring New York’s backline, which famously conceded a league-low 33 goals and achieved a remarkable 15 clean sheets during the 2018 season.
“Tim is a great leader and a great defender that will add to our roster, and we are looking forward to working with him,” said Head Coach Sandro Schwarz. “He has a lot of experience in MLS and that experience will be invaluable for us this season.”
Before joining the Red Bulls, Parker spent three impressive seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps after being selected as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. There, he made 100 appearances, scoring four goals and providing three assists. His MLS debut came on May 2, 2015, in a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers. Over the course of his MLS career, Parker has accumulated an impressive 274 appearances and logged a total of 23,374 minutes on the field.
Parker’s soccer journey began at Saint John’s University, where he was a standout four-year starter. He played a critical role in leading the Red Storm to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2011 to 2013. During his college career, he made 79 appearances, earning recognition as a two-time All-Big East First Team selection and being named to the NSCAA All-Region First Team in both 2012 and 2013.
Parker has represented the United States at the senior national team level, making two appearances. His debut came on June 2, 2018, in an international friendly match against Ireland, marking another significant milestone in his soccer career.
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