Dylan Nealis Bio
Dylan Nealis (born July 30, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. A product of the Long Island youth soccer scene, he played college soccer at Georgetown University, where he captained the program to its first NCAA national championship in 2019. After being selected third overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Inter Miami CF, Nealis has built his professional career across multiple MLS clubs.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, Nealis has earned a reputation as a reliable defender whose development includes stops with Inter Miami CF, Nashville SC, and the New York Red Bulls. His journey from youth soccer on Long Island to professional ranks in MLS reflects consistent growth as a right-back.
Early Life and Background
Dylan Nealis was born on July 30, 1998, in Massapequa, New York, in the United States. He grew up in a family with deep soccer roots, surrounded by the sport from an early age. He began his organized soccer career with local club Massapequa SC, where he developed his foundational skills as a defender.
Nealis also played for Massapequa High School, where he quickly established himself as a standout. As a sophomore in 2013, he scored the winning goals in both the semi-final and the final of the NYSPHSAA Class AA tournament, earning tournament MVP honors. The following year, his Massapequa team finished undefeated in the regular season before a 2-0 playoff loss to the Syosset Braives in the Nassau County Class AA tournament.
Path to Soccer
Nealis committed to Georgetown University and began his collegiate soccer career with the Georgetown Hoyas in 2016. Over four seasons in the program, he developed into one of the top college defenders in the country, balancing academics with a demanding athletic schedule.
In 2019, Nealis captained the Georgetown Hoyas to their first NCAA national championship, anchoring a defense that carried the team through the tournament. His performance in the postseason earned him the Defensive Most Outstanding Player award, making him the first Hoya to receive that honor. That same year, he was also named a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which recognizes the top college soccer player in the nation.
During his college years, Nealis also gained senior-level experience with USL League Two side Long Island Rough Riders between 2017 and 2019. That dual pathway of college and amateur competition helped prepare him for the transition to professional soccer.
Dylan Nealis Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Nealis began his senior amateur career with the Long Island Rough Riders in 2017, competing in USL League Two while still in college. The experience allowed him to test his skills against older, more physical opponents and refine the defensive habits that would later define his professional game.
Across three seasons with the Rough Riders, Nealis built a reputation as a dependable right-back capable of contributing on both sides of the ball. His play during this period coincided with his rise as a leader at Georgetown, culminating in the 2019 NCAA championship run.
MLS Breakthrough (2020–2021)
On January 9, 2020, Dylan Nealis was selected by Inter Miami CF as the third overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. He made his professional debut on September 23, 2020, starting in a 1-4 loss to the New York Red Bulls. He went on to appear in 20 matches during his first professional season, showing enough promise to attract league-wide attention.
On April 11, 2021, Nealis was traded to Nashville SC in exchange for $175,000 in general allocation money, with the potential for an additional $50,000 in performance-based incentives. He made his Nashville debut on April 24, 2021, appearing as an injury-time substitute in a 2-2 draw with CF Montréal. Later that summer, on July 17, he recorded his first assist for the club in a 5-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC.
New York Red Bulls Era (2021–Present)
On December 16, 2021, Nealis was traded to the New York Red Bulls, again in exchange for $175,000 in general allocation money plus possible performance incentives. He made his Red Bulls debut on February 26, 2022, starting in a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the club’s season opener. On May 25, 2022, he scored his first professional goal in a 3-1 win over Charlotte FC, helping New York advance to the quarterfinals of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup.
In November 2023, Nealis signed a new contract with the Red Bulls that kept him with the club through the 2024 season. Since then, he has remained a steady presence in the team’s defensive rotation, continuing to wear the number 12 jersey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nealis is known for his tactical awareness as a right-back, combining defensive positioning with the ability to step forward into the attack. He reads the game well, communicates effectively along the back line, and supports overlapping runs when the team pushes forward. His college experience as a leader has translated into a composed, reliable presence in high-pressure moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout career moments, Nealis captained Georgetown to the program’s first NCAA national championship in 2019 and was named the tournament’s Defensive Most Outstanding Player. He was also selected third overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, made his MLS debut with Inter Miami CF later that year, and scored his first professional goal for the New York Red Bulls in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup.
Dylan Nealis Career Wins
Dylan Nealis’s career highlights are anchored by his championship pedigree from college and his steady contributions across multiple MLS stops. While individual goal and assist totals are limited, his resume features a national title, a high draft selection, and several notable victories with the New York Red Bulls.
MLS Highlights
Nealis has recorded memorable results with the New York Red Bulls, including a 3-1 opening-day win over the San Jose Earthquakes in 2022 and a 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC in the U.S. Open Cup that same year. He added a milestone in 2025 when he scored his first MLS regular-season goal on August 16, sealing a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond MLS play, Nealis found the net in a Leagues Cup match against FC Juárez on August 7, 2025, scoring in a 1-1 draw. His early senior appearances with the Long Island Rough Riders in USL League Two helped round out a varied competitive background.
Dylan Nealis Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Nealis comes from a soccer family, with three older brothers who all played the sport. His oldest brother, Jimmy, played college soccer at Georgetown University and went on to play professionally for the New York Cosmos. The family’s deep ties to the game helped shape Dylan Nealis’s early development as a defender.
Personal Life
His brother Sean played collegiate soccer at Hofstra University and has played professionally as a defender, including with DC United. Another brother, Connor, played for Binghamton University. The Nealis brothers’ shared soccer journey reflects a household built around the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked an offensive milestone for Dylan Nealis with the New York Red Bulls. On August 7, 2025, he scored in a 1-1 Leagues Cup draw against Liga MX side FC Juárez, recording his first goal of the campaign. Just over a week later, on August 16, 2025, he netted his first-ever MLS regular-season goal in a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
These goals signaled a growing attacking dimension to Nealis’s game as he continues to feature as a regular right-back for the club. His consistent selection through the season reflects the trust of the coaching staff in his defensive reliability.
Looking ahead, Nealis remains under contract with the Red Bulls and is positioned to continue contributing on both ends of the field. With his blend of college pedigree, MLS experience, and recent goal-scoring form, he remains a steady option in the team’s back line.