After coaching the New York Red Bulls' reserve team for the last two seasons, former player John Wolyniec will take charge of the club's USL affiliate, New York Red Bulls II, in 2015, the club announced on Monday.
Wolyniec, 38, had a 12-year MLS career as a forward, including parts of nine seasons with the MetroStars and Red Bulls. His best season came in 2004, when he scored 10 goals, although he may be best remembered for his last-second, over-the-shoulder volley to win a game at Giants Stadium on Sept. 20, 2003.
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The Staten Island, N.Y., native also scored twice in the underdog Red Bulls' playoff run to the 2008 Western Conference championship. He has worked as an assistant coach in the organization since retiring in 2010.
"I'm grateful to the organization for this opportunity," Wolyniec said in a club statement. "NYRB II represents an important platform in our player development system. Our goal is to create an environment for our young players to have a chance to train and play in a professional setting and get meaningful minutes to prepare them for careers in MLS."
Recently retired Ibrahim Sekagya and former Columbus Crew goalkeeping coach Vadim Kirillov will serve on Wolyniec's staff.
"We're very excited for John," Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtis said in the club statement. "He's served this organization well as a player and as part of the staff. He has earned this opportunity, and we look forward to him leading this team and developing our young talent. John will have an important role in not only developing players within NYRB II, but his responsibilities will also include working in an integrated capacity with both our first team and academy coaching staffs."
