Bradley Wright-Phillips facts for kids
Bradley Wright-Phillips with New York Red Bulls in 2014
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Bradley Edward Wright-Phillips | ||
| Date of birth | 12 March 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Lewisham, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2004 | Manchester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2006 | Manchester City | 32 | (2) |
| 2006–2009 | Southampton | 111 | (22) |
| 2009–2011 | Plymouth Argyle | 32 | (17) |
| 2011–2013 | Charlton Athletic | 82 | (31) |
| 2013 | → Brentford (loan) | 15 | (5) |
| 2013–2019 | New York Red Bulls | 195 | (108) |
| 2020 | Los Angeles FC | 19 | (8) |
| 2021 | Columbus Crew | 21 | (1) |
| 2022 | New York Red Bulls | 0 | (0) |
| 2025 | Des Moines Menace | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 507 | (194) | |
| International career | |||
| 2005 | England U20 | 5 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Bradley Edward Wright-Phillips, also known as "BWP," is a former English football player. He was a fantastic striker, meaning he was great at scoring goals! Born on March 12, 1985, he now works as a studio host for MLS Season Pass. Bradley is the son of famous footballer Ian Wright and the younger brother of Shaun Wright-Phillips, who also played football.
BWP started his career with Manchester City in England's top league, the Premier League. He then played for several other English teams like Southampton and Charlton Athletic. In 2013, he moved to the New York Red Bulls in the United States. There, he became a huge star, helping his team win the MLS Supporters' Shield. He even tied the league record for most goals in a single season with 27! Bradley won the MLS Golden Boot twice for being the top scorer. He holds the record for most goals scored for the New York Red Bulls. In 2018, he became one of only a few MLS players to score 100 goals.
Bradley also played for the England U20 team five times in 2005. Later, he had the chance to play for Jamaica, but he chose to focus on his club career instead.
Contents
- Early Life and Family
- Club Career Highlights
- International Career
- Personal Life
- Career Statistics
- Awards and Honours
- See also
Early Life and Family
Bradley Wright-Phillips grew up in Brockley, South London. His father is Ian Wright, a famous former player for Arsenal and the England national team. Bradley's half-brother, Shaun Wright-Phillips, also played football and was even his teammate at the New York Red Bulls for two seasons. Bradley went to Kelsey Park School and then Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College.
Club Career Highlights
Playing for Manchester City
Bradley was a top scorer for the Manchester City reserve team in the 2003–04 season. He scored his first Premier League goal on December 6, 2004, just four minutes after joining a game as a substitute. His only goal the next season was in a 4–1 win against Birmingham City in December 2005.
Time at Southampton
After playing for Manchester City, Bradley moved to Southampton in July 2006 for £500,000. He made an immediate impact, scoring in his very first game against Derby County. He also scored a great goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the 2006–07 season, he scored 11 goals. Overall, he played 120 games for Southampton and scored 24 goals.
Playing for Plymouth Argyle
In July 2009, Bradley signed with Plymouth Argyle. He had some knee injuries that kept him from playing, but he returned in January 2010 for an FA Cup game. He scored his first goal for Plymouth in March 2010. In December 2010, he scored both goals in a 2–0 win against Exeter City, bringing his season total to 12 goals.
Success with Charlton Athletic
On January 24, 2011, Bradley joined Charlton Athletic. He scored in his first game for the club. On February 28, 2012, he scored a hat-trick (three goals in one game) in a 4–0 win. Bradley scored 22 goals in 42 matches, helping Charlton Athletic win the 2011–12 Football League One title.
Loan to Brentford
In February 2013, he joined Brentford on loan. He played in 15 league matches and scored five goals during his time there.
Becoming a Star at New York Red Bulls
Joining the Red Bulls in 2013
On July 24, 2013, Bradley Wright-Phillips joined the New York Red Bulls. Even though he joined late in the season, he helped New York win their first big title, the MLS Supporters' Shield. He played seven games and scored one goal. He also scored in the playoffs, but his team was eliminated.
Record-Breaking 2014 Season
The 2014 season was amazing for BWP! On April 23, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win. He scored another hat-trick on May 10. He even scored against his father's old team, Arsenal, in a friendly game. On August 23, 2014, he scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season, breaking the club record for most goals in a single season. On September 20, he scored his third hat-trick of the season. On October 26, Bradley scored twice to equal the Major League Soccer season goal record of 27 goals!
In the playoffs, he scored two more goals in the first match. He scored his third playoff goal against D.C. United, helping New York win. The Red Bulls reached the Eastern Conference Final but lost, missing the MLS Cup Final.
Continued Success in 2015
After his great 2014 season, Bradley signed a special contract with New York. On March 22, 2015, he scored his first goal of the season and helped his teammate score another. He was named MLS Player of the Week. On May 10, he scored both goals in a 2–1 win against New York City FC in their first ever "Hudson River derby" game. He scored again in another derby win on June 28.
On August 1, 2015, Bradley scored the first goal in a win, with an assist from his brother Shaun, who was playing his first game for New York. He scored in his third New York derby of the season on August 9. On August 30, he scored two goals in a 3–0 win. On October 25, Bradley scored the opening goal, helping the Red Bulls win the 2015 MLS Supporters' Shield. In the playoffs, he scored the only goal in a game against D.C. United, helping his team advance.
More Records in 2016
On April 24, 2016, Bradley scored his first two goals of the season. On May 21, he scored two goals and assisted another in a huge 7–0 win over New York City FC.
In his 100th game for the club on May 28, Bradley scored a hat-trick in the first 27 minutes, setting an MLS record for the fastest hat-trick from the start of a game! He was named Player of the Month for May. He tied the club's all-time goal record with 62 goals. On July 31, he broke that record with his 63rd goal. Two weeks later, he broke another team record with 59 league goals. Bradley also broke an MLS record by scoring the most league goals over a three-year period (2014–2016). With his 20th league goal in 2016, he became the first player in league history to have two seasons with 20 or more goals. On October 23, Bradley won his second MLS Golden Boot title.
2017 Season Achievements
On February 22, 2017, Bradley scored his first CONCACAF Champions League goal. On March 29, he signed a new multi-year contract. On June 18, he scored two late goals to lead New York to a 2–0 victory. On July 13, he scored a late winning goal in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, helping New York reach the semifinals. A month later, on August 15, he scored two goals, including one in the 101st minute, to send New York to their first Open Cup final since 2003. With his 15th goal of the season on September 9, Bradley joined Robbie Keane as one of only two players in MLS history to score 15 or more goals in four seasons in a row. On November 5, he scored his 100th career goal for the New York Red Bulls.
2018: 100 MLS Goals
On March 1, 2018, Bradley scored in a 2–0 victory in the CONCACAF Champions League, helping New York advance. On March 6, he scored two goals in Mexico. On March 10, he scored his first league goal of the season. On March 13, he assisted all of New York's goals in a 3–1 win, helping the club reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time. On May 5, he scored his club's second goal in a 4–0 victory against New York City FC. On July 25, 2018, Bradley scored his 100th MLS goal in a 1–0 win. He became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goals! On August 5, the New York Red Bulls announced that his jersey number, 99, would be retired after he stopped playing, meaning no other player would wear it.
Final Season with Red Bulls in 2019
Bradley played in 29 games in 2019. He left the Red Bulls in November 2019 after six years with the club. He scored 126 goals in 240 games for the Red Bulls. The club's sporting director called him "one of the best forwards in MLS history."
Playing for Los Angeles FC
On February 14, 2020, Los Angeles FC announced that Bradley Wright-Phillips had joined their team for the 2020 season.
Time with Columbus Crew
On December 23, 2020, it was announced that Bradley would join the Columbus Crew for their 2021 season. He played his first game for Columbus in the CONCACAF Champions League and scored his first goal for the team in the second game of that series. He also made his league debut for Columbus in a 0–0 draw. After the 2021 season, Columbus decided not to keep him on their team.
Retirement from Football
On March 8, 2022, Bradley Wright-Phillips announced that he was retiring from professional football. The next day, he signed a special one-day contract to officially retire as a New York Red Bull. After that, he was appointed as a "Special Assistant to the Sporting Director" for the club.
Playing for Des Moines Menace in 2025
On March 19, 2025, Bradley Wright-Phillips played 65 minutes for the Des Moines Menace in a 2–1 win. He also played in another game but had to leave early due to an injury.
International Career
Bradley Wright-Phillips played for the England U20 team. He was first called up in February 2005 and played his first game in a friendly win against Russia. He also played in the 2005 Toulon Tournament.
Because of his family background, Bradley could have also played for Grenada, Jamaica, or Trinidad and Tobago. In 2015, both Grenada and Jamaica asked him to play for them, but he decided to focus on his club football instead.
Personal Life
Bradley Wright-Phillips is married to Leann, and they have three children.
He is very interested in grime music and has appeared on radio shows with a music group called OGz. In 2014, he even had a rap battle with another footballer, Yannick Bolasie.
Bradley received his U.S. green card after the 2016 MLS season, which allows him to live and work permanently in the United States.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester City | 2004–05 | Premier League | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 1 | ||
| 2005–06 | 18 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 23 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 32 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 2 | ||||
| Southampton | 2006–07 | Championship | 39 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 44 | 11 | ||
| 2007–08 | 39 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 43 | 8 | ||||
| 2008–09 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 6 | ||||
| Total | 111 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 121 | 25 | ||||
| Plymouth Argyle | 2009–10 | Championship | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 4 | ||
| 2010–11 | League One | 17 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 21 | 13 | ||
| Total | 32 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 37 | 17 | |||
| Charlton Athletic | 2010–11 | League One | 21 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 21 | 8 | |
| 2011–12 | 42 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 45 | 22 | |||
| 2012–13 | Championship | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 1 | |||
| Total | 82 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 87 | 31 | |||
| Brentford (loan) | 2012–13 | League One | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 17 | 5 | |
| Total | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 17 | 5 | |||
| Club | Season | League | U.S. Open Cup | Playoffs | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| New York Red Bulls | 2013 | MLS | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 9 | 2 | ||
| 2014 | 32 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 37 | 31 | |||
| 2015 | 34 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 40 | 18 | ||||
| 2016 | 34 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 40 | 25 | |||
| 2017 | 32 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 42 | 24 | |||
| 2018 | 32 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 3 | — | 43 | 24 | |||
| 2019 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 29 | 2 | |||
| Total | 195 | 108 | 11 | 5 | 20 | 9 | 14 | 4 | — | 240 | 126 | |||
| Los Angeles FC | 2020 | MLS | 19 | 8 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 9 | |
| Total | 19 | 8 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 9 | |||
| Columbus Crew | 2021 | MLS | 21 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 2 | ||
| Total | 21 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 2 | ||||
| Career total | 507 | 194 | 28 | 5 | 29 | 12 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 589 | 217 | ||
Awards and Honours
Bradley Wright-Phillips won many awards and honours during his career:
Team Honours
- Charlton Athletic
- Football League One: 2011–12 (Champions)
- New York Red Bulls
- Supporters' Shield: 2013, 2015, 2018 (Award for best regular season record)
- Columbus Crew
- Campeones Cup: 2021 (Champions)
Individual Awards
- PFA Team of the Year: 2010–11 League One (Recognized as one of the best players in the league)
- MLS Golden Boot: 2014, 2016 (Award for top goal scorer in MLS)
- MLS Best XI: 2014, 2016 (Named one of the best 11 players in MLS)
- MLS All-Star: 2014, 2018 (Selected to play in the MLS All-Star Game)
- MLS 100 goals club (Achieved 100 goals in MLS)
- Castrol Index Top MLS Player: 2014 (Ranked as the top player based on performance)
- New York Red Bulls MVP: 2014, 2017, 2018 (Most Valuable Player for his team)
- CONCACAF Best XI: 2018 (Named one of the best 11 players in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean)
- MLS Comeback Player of the Year: 2020 (Award for a player who overcame challenges to perform well)
See also
In Spanish: Bradley Wright-Phillips para niños
