Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan and NYCFC defender Jason Hernandez are longtime friends. The two first played together, and roomed together, at Seton Hall, and were also MLS teammates at Chivas USA on a roster that also included Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch.
Hernandez was originally drafted by the MetroStars in 2005 Supplemental draft before being traded to Chivas USA in a draft day deal that allowed Chivas to select Kljestan. The pair were also groomsmen in each other’s weddings.
Red Bulls homegrown signing Brandon Allen’s brother, R.J., plays for New York City FC.
New York City FC midfielder Medhi Ballouchy joined the Red Bulls in the summer of 2010 from Colorado, and played with RBNY until the Summer of 2012, when he departed for San Jose.