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 Georgetown University’s championship-winning program, Nealis has built a steady career in MLS after being a high draft pick in 2020.
Standing at 181 cm, Nealis is known for his defensive reliability and his ability to contribute offensively from the back. Since turning professional, he has played for Inter Miami, Nashville SC, and New York Red Bulls, establishing himself as a dependable full-back in the league.
Early Life and Background
Dylan Nealis was born on July 30, 1998, in Massapequa, New York, United States. He grew up in a family with a strong soccer tradition, with three older brothers who all played the sport at competitive levels. His oldest brother, Jimmy, also played college soccer at Georgetown University before turning professional with the New York Cosmos.
Nealis began his youth career with local club Massapequa SC and attended Massapequa High School. As a sophomore in 2013, he scored the winning goals in both the semi-final and final of the NYSPHSAA Class AA tournament and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The following year, his Massapequa team finished the regular season undefeated, though their playoff run ended with a loss to the Syosset Braves in the Nassau County Class AA tournament.
Path to Soccer
In 2016, Nealis began his collegiate soccer career with the Georgetown Hoyas. Over four seasons, he developed into one of the program’s most reliable defenders and rose to a leadership role. During his college years, he also gained senior-level experience by playing for USL League Two side Long Island Rough Riders from 2017 to 2019.
In 2019, Nealis captained the Georgetown University team that won the program’s first NCAA national championship. He was named the Defensive Most Outstanding Player of the national tournament, becoming the first Hoya to win the honor. That same year, he was a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the annual award given to the top college soccer player in the nation. Following the championship, Nealis declared for the MLS SuperDraft.
Dylan Nealis Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Nealis played for the Long Island Rough Riders in USL League Two during his college summers from 2017 through 2019. He gained valuable experience competing against more senior players while continuing to develop his game at Georgetown.
His standout college season came in 2019, when he captained Georgetown to the NCAA national championship and earned Defensive Most Outstanding Player honors. The performance also brought national attention as a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist, setting the stage for his transition to professional soccer.
Inter Miami CF Era (2020–2021)
On January 9, 2020, 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 New York Red Bulls. He finished his rookie season appearing in 20 matches for Inter Miami.
On April 11, 2021, Nealis was traded to Nashville SC in exchange for $175,000 in general allocation money, with an additional $50,000 possible if he met performance-based metrics. He debuted with Nashville on April 24, 2021, as an injury-time substitute in a 2–2 draw with CF Montréal, and on July 17, 2021, he recorded an assist in a 5–1 victory over Chicago Fire FC.
New York Red Bulls Era (2021–Present)
On December 16, 2021, Nealis was traded to New York Red Bulls in exchange for $175,000 in general allocation money, with an additional $75,000 possible through performance-based metrics. He debuted for New York on February 26, 2022, starting in a 3–1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes in the opening match of the season. On May 25, 2022, he scored his first professional goal in a 3–1 win over Charlotte FC as New York advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup.
In November 2023, Nealis signed a new contract with Red Bulls to remain through the 2024 season, and he has continued as a regular starter at right-back. His role with the club has remained consistent, contributing both defensively and in the attack.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nealis is recognized for his positional discipline, tackling, and ability to read the game from the right-back position. He combines defensive awareness with composure in possession and contributes to build-up play, regularly joining attacks down the flank. His consistency and durability have made him a reliable presence in the Red Bulls back line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Nealis captained Georgetown to its first NCAA national championship in 2019 and earned Defensive Most Outstanding Player honors. He was the third overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft and later scored his first professional goal in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup for New York Red Bulls.
Dylan Nealis Career Wins
Dylan Nealis has assembled a competitive resume across collegiate, amateur, and professional soccer, highlighted by a national championship at Georgetown and a top-three selection in the MLS SuperDraft.
Collegiate and League Highlights
At the collegiate level, Nealis captained the Georgetown Hoyas to the 2019 NCAA national championship and was named the Defensive Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. He was also a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2019, recognizing the top college soccer player in the nation.
Earlier, Nealis led Massapequa to the 2013 NYSPHSAA Class AA title as a sophomore, scoring both winning goals in the semi-final and final. He also competed for the Long Island Rough Riders in USL League Two from 2017 to 2019, gaining additional senior-level experience.
Dylan Nealis Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Nealis comes from a family deeply rooted in soccer. He has three older brothers, all of whom played the sport competitively. His oldest brother, Jimmy, played college soccer at Georgetown University and professionally for the New York Cosmos, following a similar path to Dylan.
His brother Sean played collegiate soccer at Hofstra University and has played professionally as a defender, while his brother Connor played at Binghamton University. The shared passion for the sport across the family has shaped Nealis’s development and career path.
Personal Life
Nealis was raised in Massapequa, New York, and continues to be recognized as a hometown product. His family remains closely connected to soccer, with multiple brothers having competed at collegiate and professional levels.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked an offensive breakthrough for Dylan Nealis with the New York Red Bulls. On August 7, 2025, he scored his first goal of the season in a 1–1 draw with Liga MX side FC Juárez in a Leagues Cup match. Shortly after, on August 16, 2025, he netted his first MLS goal in a 1–0 victory over the Philadelphia Union, highlighting his growing influence in the attacking third.
Nealis has continued in his familiar right-back role, providing defensive stability while increasingly contributing to the team’s offensive output. His performances in cup and league competitions have underlined his value to the Red Bulls squad as the season progresses.
With the club pushing forward in both domestic and international competitions, Nealis’s blend of defensive reliability and timely goals has made him an important part of New York’s plans heading into the closing stretch of 2025.