This day was bound to happen. For the last seven seasons the New York Red Bulls developed and brought up a local talent from Chatham, NJ to perform at Left Wing Back to grow and dominate the position with the greatest of ease. Not only did he turn into a strong player on the backline, but when he grew into the offensive side of the ball, you knew he was someone special. He showed how technically gifted he was, and how he was able to pull off a magical moment to either start the offense, add to the offense or grab the win by the scruff of the neck. John Tolkin was that kid who grew up into a big time player right in front of our eyes.
He made his Major League Soccer Debut in a two goals to nil victory as a substitute against Toronto FC, in 2020 but he started against Orlando City at Red Bull Arena back in 2021. From that point on he never relinquished that starting job ever again. What we got was a kid who wanted to be a big time player and prove to everyone he can deliver in the biggest moments on the pitch either at home or on the road. What he did as a defender was stay strong and made many strong tackles to remove the ball from the attackers. He also brought up the ball from the left wing and looked silky smooth while showing how strong he was. Even when he took a hard challenge, he never had a major injury that took him away from the team.
But the moments when he got those chances to score goals or set up goals, he stood out big time. He made many great goals on dead ball situations and whenever he struck the ball, he got the fans up on their feet and celebrated those moments. The most memorable ones were the free kick winner against DC United just before second half stoppage time came. The second goal in the Wild Card playoff match against Charlotte FC, or how about the free kick wonder this past season against Orlando City at Red Bull Arena. He was also huge from the penalty spot like he did at Nashville SC on decision day back in 2023 when he scored inside the far post to keep the playoff qualification streak going, or beating the New England Revolution with the winning shootout goal in the Leagues Cup.
But his greatest moment on dead ball situations was in last years playoffs in the Eastern Conference Final in the second half at Inter&Co Stadium in downtown Orlando when he delivered a magical ball from the far side and gave Andres Reyes the moment to head it in for the only goal of of the match. That setup from Tolkin led the club to their second MLS Cup Final appearance. He’s also known for his fantastic hair styles. One day he goes mullet, the next day he goes all shaved. One day he’s a blonde, the next day he goes with the brown hair. But no matter what he does with the ball or with his hair, that smile of his will always make you feel good about where he is and what he is doing.
And now that dreaded moment has come. We all knew this was going to happen. He was ready to leave the club and head out to his European adventure. The destination for him is Germany and to the Bundesliga with a club called Holstein Kiel. In the end of season presser led by Director of Sport Jochen Schneider, he truly wanted to hang John Tolkin’s banner with his number forty seven to the roof of now Sports Illustrated Stadium, but he knew that John’s destiny laid in Europe. After getting the call from Mauricio Pochettino for the January camp and the two friendly games, he was excused and allowed to travel, and sign his dreams away to his new club.
It’s been exciting to see him grow up and become the player that he is today. The hunger he’s been striving for to be a professional soccer player, and now making the move to Europe and show all Americans, the supporters of Holstein Kiel and the rest of the world why he has been coveted so much as the next best player to show he’s ready for the next chapter of his professional career and to get that chance to take over the left back spot for the National Team. From the Academy, to Red Bulls two, to the senior squad. Several caps with the National Team in friendly games, the Gold Cup and last summers Paris Olympic games, John Tolkin has been fantastic whenever he steps on the pitch to battle for ninety minutes. It will be sad to miss him, but just as we knew Tyler Adams was destined for Europe, another one created and molded by the club has made the journey as well.
Thank you for the memories, John. We will miss you.