HARRISON, N.J. – New York Red Bulls II Head Coach John Wolyniec was honored at the NYC Soccer Gala on Thursday night for his devotion to enhancing soccer in New York City.

Wolyniec was honored at the gala alongside longtime New York Red Bulls Director of Coaching Education and Youth Partnerships Bob Montgomery, who joined the Red Bulls in 2007 as the club’s academy director after an illustrious career in college soccer and as a coach for the U.S. U14 National Team.

A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Wolyniec led the Red Bulls II to a playoff place, and the club’s first postseason victory, in 2015 as the side announced its arrival in the USL with consistently strong performances. Two players from the Red Bulls II, Tyler Adams and Derrick Etienne, signed with the club’s MLS side this offseason.

As a player, Wolyniec is one of the icons in Red Bulls history, as evidenced by his inclusion in the club’s Best 20 in 20, which honored the best players in the Red Bulls’ first 20 seasons. Wolyniec was named an All-American in 1998 at Fordham, and set records in the program’s history upon his graduation with 75 goals, 44 assists and 184 points. Wolyniec went on to play nine seasons for the MetroStars and Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

Wolyniec and Montgomery were joined in being honored by former Red Bull legend Giovanni Savarese and former MetroStars Coach Alfonso Mondelo. Past honorees have included USSF President Sunil Gulati, Red Bulls legend Mike Petke and current New York City FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna.