John Tolkin MLS Stats, Records And Professional Career

John Tolkin is not only one of the most essential cogs in the New York Red Bulls’ exciting project, but is also one of the most exciting homegrown talents North American football has produced in recent years. An exciting left-back that seems destined for a big move abroad eventually, check out all the best Jon Tolkin stats, records, and professional career so far at SinkorSwimSports. 

At A Glance: John Tolkin Stats

Full Name: John Tolkin

D.O.B: July 31, 2002 (age 20)

Place Of Birth: Chatham Borough, New Jersey, United States

Position: Left-Back

Current Club: New York Red Bulls

Club Appearances: 87

Club Goals: 3

Climbing The Ranks

Born in July 2002 in Chatham Borough, New Jersey, Tolkin studied at Chatham High School. Having joined the New York Red Bulls youth academy in 2015 His most significant break came during the 2019 USL Championship, making his debut against Bethlehem Steel on July 10. Coming on as a second-half substitute, Tolkin recorded his first professional assist on his debut, setting up current Red Bulls striker Tom Barlow in the 82nd minute. 

Making 25 appearances for the New York Red Bulls II side in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Tolkin earned a call-up to the MLS roster on January 14, 2020. He is the 22nd homegrown player in the Red Bulls’ franchise history. 

His first team debut came on May 8, 2021, as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Toronto, with his first start coming against Orlando on May 29. On August 18, he scored his first professional goal for the Red Bulls, bagging the winner against the Columbus Crew at the Red Bull Arena. 

John Tolkin USMNT Career 

John Tolkin was given his first taste of USMNT life in May 2019 whilst still in the Red Bulls youth academy, being called up for that year’s CONCACAF U-17 Championship. He would make his U-17 debut against Barbados, playing the whole match in a 6-1 win. Handed his debut by John Hackworth at just 15 years and 8 months, he made 9 appearances in total for the side. 

America’s Next Big Homegrown Talent? 

In an era of exciting new homegrown talents across the MLS and beyond, John Tolkin looks every inch a USMNT star in the making. Still only 20 years old, the way in which he has sandwiched himself in as one of the first names on the team sheet with the New York Red Bulls points to a hugely promising future up ahead. 

We have to talk about the mullet. Whilst it’s been shaved off now (don’t ever be afraid to bring it back, John!), the most distinct hairstyle in the MLS was almost an embodiment of how Tolkin plays his game on the pitch. 

Bold and full of flair, Tolkin is the perfect modern full-back. An archetypal ‘chalk on the boots’ sort of left-back, the young American is adept at making the pitch as wide as possible and has an abundance of pace both in and out of possession. 

Averaging 1.09 shots and 2.43 shot-creating actions per ninety, he exudes the fast-paced, attacking style of play the Red Bulls foster, and his abilities in the transition make him a perfect fit for their emphasis on the counter-attack. All this attacking flair hasn’t come at the expense of his defensive duties either, with Tolkin averaging 16.37 pressures, 2.89 tackles, 2.17 interceptions, 2.06 clearances, and 2.17 interceptions every game.

John Tolkin Career Stats

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