My Crest, My City: New York Red Bulls

One jacket, 28 crests, endless stories. Over the course of the MLS season, we will be shipping a custom jacket to creators across North America to highlight the diverse and vibrant soccer cultures of various destinations in MLS with the help of Participation Trophy Studio.

As the grassroots soccer community in the U.S. continues to grow coast-to-coast, we are seeing the emergence of exciting creative talent searching for opportunities to break into the world of soccer. This project allows us to showcase emerging creatives through shoots with an exclusive “MLS” themed coach’s jacket. The 1/1 jacket, created by Participation Trophy Studio, is a classic black coach’s jacket decorated with patches from every MLS club. The jacket will travel from city to city and be worn by local models in kits from each respective city.

For our second installment, we caught up with NJ-based creator Peter Bonilla to talk about the inspiration behind his project in his home city.

Being a NJ native, what’s your earliest memory of the Red Bulls?

I’ve been a fan my whole life. Growing up, it was the closest club I had. I used to play in all the Red Bulls clinics and youth programs growing up, although nothing too serious. Then I’d go to the stadium too, which was so much fun, especially because of the supporters. I got to sit with them a handful of times when I was growing up, which made me fall in love with the club even more.

For the past couple of years, you’ve been covering the Red Bulls from the sidelines. What has the transition from fan to on-field sports photographer been like?

I was able to cover a game for Club Eleven a few years ago, and it was a fantastic time. I had a good amount of experience in sports photography by then, but being in the stadium, on the sideline, is a whole different animal. It's a lot of stress trying to figure out where to be for the best shots and all that. But as someone who’s played soccer and someone who’s followed the Red Bulls for their whole life, it’s great to merge that knowledge and those passions with photography. 

What’s your favorite memory from covering Red Bulls games?

I would have to say it was the Hudson River Derby. It wasn't at Red Bull Arena, it was at Yankee Stadium. But that was super cool because, from a fan perspective, the Derby is already a special occasion. I think I got some great shots that game, and it was really intense. Being on the field as opposed to being up in the stands, it's just the best. As professional as I try to be, I'm still a soccer fan.

What’s your favorite thing about the Red Bulls in general?

I think the Red Bulls players themselves and the fans have a really good connection. Whenever the players score, they're always looking to go straight to the Viking Army and show some love because the Viking Army will always show some love throughout the game, regardless of the score. There's just a natural connection because of the culture. They've created a really good culture in that stadium and this area in general. Whether it’s running clinics for young kids like me back in the day or being the club that all the up-and-coming players from Harrison want to reach, it’s just a tight community. There’s an understanding between the fans, the players, and the club. 

For this installment of My Crest, My City, did you do anything in particular to highlight that connection?

As soon as this idea came up, I knew I had to get the Viking Army involved. I reached out to CHUPI, who's one of the founding members of the supporters' group. He’s always on TV, wearing the helmet with the horns, and he's pretty much a legend at that stadium. So I reached out to him to tell him about the project, and they were so awesome about it. They told me that whatever I needed, they would give it to me. They gave me banners, flags, and all this cool stuff they use during games. I did my best to incorporate all that and them since they embody everything that the club and fan connection are about. Their events, tailgates, and warmth in the stands are what drives up fan engagement in this area, so I wanted to highlight all of that.

Can you talk about the location for your shoot? What was the inspiration behind that?

I set up my first shots at the entrance to the South Ward, which is where the supporters sit. That gate is integral to the stadium, so I wanted to make sure that the South Ward was included. 

My second location was at the Jackson Street Bridge. A majority of people park across the river from the stadium, and then they all walk over together, chanting and having fun. So I wanted to make sure I got that bridge involved because that's an important part of the whole Red Bulls experience. 

My third location was at Riverfront Park, with the stadium in the background. I just wanted to make sure that Harrison was involved and referenced. That's why all the locations are within a two-minute drive of the stadium. I wanted people to be able to see these shots and be like, ‘Oh, I recognize this place. I pass by that when I go to the game.’

What are you hoping that people from outside Harrison or New York will take from your project?

I hope that the culture and the passion translate into the photos. I want people to get that raw vibe that you get at the stadium. Harrison is tough to get to, so the fans that do get there go hard. I want my photos to show that. 

We’ve talked about the city, the soccer, the club, and the fans. What do you think of the New York Red Bulls crest? What does it mean to you?

I love it. I loved the MetroStars crest, and I think it’s incredible how it developed into the Red Bulls crest that we have now. When I see the crest, I think of just being in the stadium and having everybody chant and all those great things that happen on game days. I think that goes back to the great culture that we’ve built over here over such a long time -- even going back to the MetroStars and the culture that's been in the area for decades. 

So, is New York red or blue?

I don't even understand how that could be a question. The culture and the history of the Red Bulls is so much longer than that of New York City FC. I know this is my opportunity to talk some smack, so I will. NYCFC play in a baseball stadium. I don't want to hear it. Don't get me wrong, Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place, but New York is red. I understand that our stadium is in Jersey, but as long as that crest says ‘New York Red Bulls,’ New York is red. I don't care. 

Make sure to check out Peter’s work, and keep an eye out for the next edition of My Crest, My City coming next month.

Photography by Peter Bonilla.

Model: @holihefna.

Jacket: Participation Trophy Studio

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