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The Red Bulls are continuing to overhaul their roster this offseason as another club mainstay is on the move.
A deal is in the works that would send center back Sean Nealis, a Long Island native who has risen through the Red Bulls system and appeared in 187 matches for the club, to Eastern Conference rival D.C. United, The Post confirmed on Thursday.
The deal would mark the third trade that new head of sport, Julian de Guzman, has pulled off this offseason after the club announced earlier in the week that they traded star Lewis Morgan to San Diego and midfielder Peter Stroud to Minnesota.
Sean Nealis prepares to take a throw in during the second half of the Red Bulls’ 3-2 loss to New York City FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025 in Harrison, N.J. Getty ImagesThe Red Bulls would receive around $350,000 in general allocation money from D.C. United in exchange, according to Athletic’s Tom Bogert, who was first to report the deal.
Nealis has been a member of the Red Bulls his entire professional career — serving as the team’s captain during the 2023 season — and has been a fixture in Long Island soccer his whole life.
Nealis helped lead Massapequa High School to a state title his junior year before playing college soccer at Hofstra University.
The 28-year-old signed an MLS contract on Feb. 17 and made his professional debut 10 days later during a 2019 CONCACAF Champions League match against Atlético Pantoja.
Nealis became a regular on the Red Bulls roster after working his way through the second team.
Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira (right) controls the ball as the Red Bulls’ Sean Nealis (15) defends during the second half at Lower.com Field. Joseph Maiorana-Imagn ImagesHe was the longest-tenured active member of the club.
“It’s a special club to be a part of and hopefully many more years of being a part of this club,” Nealis told reporters in February ahead of the 2025 MLS season.
The Red Bulls have been incredibly active this offseason aside from the trio of trades.
The club announced this week that it had added U.S. Men’s National Team winger Cade Cowell and defender Justin Che.
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