From Red Bulls to the Rapids: a Look into the Young Career of Omir Fernandez

July 12, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release

Apart from being a matchup between two MLS charter clubs, Saturday’s contest will be something much deeper for Rapids midfielder Omir Fernandez. This offseason, Fernandez made the move to Colorado after being with his hometown club, the New York Red Bulls, for over 12 years.

Raised in the Bronx, New York, Fernandez grew up rooting for the only MLS club in the New York Metro area at the time, and at just 12 years old, a dream became reality when he joined Red Bulls Academy and began making his name within the organization. In retrospect, it was no shock that Fernandez quickly rose up the Academy ranks, leading to his eventual professional debut with New York Red Bulls II in USL Championship at the age of 17.

“I was developed in that system for many years which really impacted me,” he stated when talking about his growth through the Academy. “Before I played as a pro, I never played as a center 10 and rarely played up top. I was always on the left. I had to learn how to play different positions at different times. That’s something that has shaped me, being able to play wherever – even on the back line if needed.”

Following the 2016 season, Fernandez made the decision to attend Wake Forest University as one of the top young prospects in the nation. With no professional contract, the midfielder chose the route of playing in the NCAA, which proved to be a beneficial move as he continued his growth with one of the country’s best college soccer programs at the time

“It helped me grow up,” Fernandez explained when describing his time at the college level. “An immature kid would have just signed a contract and thought they were on top of the world. Going to Wake Forest made me mature and woke me up to the pressure that I would face as a professional.”

His play at the college level from 2017 to 2018 impressed many, including the New York Red Bulls and their head coach, Chris Armas.

“Chris called me the day before my first day of classes,” Fernandez said while describing the moment he was offered an MLS contract. “He explained how excited he was to have me on board and then asked if I could get right to work and head down to Sarasota in two days for preseason.”

Armas saw then what everyone can see now, an MLS-ready player who could contribute to every phase of the game.

Fernandez officially signed his first professional contract with New York on January 26, 2019, and quickly made his debut with the club…