By: Denny Quinteros | Published: March 9th, 2026
Matthew (Matty) Dos Santos was born in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, on June 5, 2008, and has quietly become one of the most promising young defenders in the American youth soccer system. At just 17 years old, he signed for Red Bull New York in Major League Soccer on March 6, 2026. His rise through the ranks and fueled by relentless dedication and humble beginnings and has become an inspiring story of talent, sacrifice, and growth.
Matty’s first soccer memories date back to when he was four years old playing for Brookfield Soccer Club. It was there that he first fell in love with the game, touching the ball for the first time and learning its fundamentals. Soccer was also deeply rooted in his family culture, as he is the son of Brazilian immigrants Ana and Mauro Dos Santos.
“The game was always more than just a hobby. It was a way of life (for Matty),” said Ana Dos Santos.
At first, it was purely love for the game, but Matty quickly began to show real potential. When he appeared in an Instagram video at the age of nine, scouts from the New York Red Bulls Academy noticed his talent. Shortly after, he joined the Red Bulls Pre-Academy in 2017, beginning his journey through one of the most structured development systems in American soccer.
Dos Santos progressed steadily through the Red Bulls development pathway, moving from the U-12 level up to U-15. His growth during this time was marked not only by technical skill but also by improved tactical awareness and physical development. He trained with elite coaches and competed against some of the best young players in the country.
In 2023, he played a key role in the Red Bulls U-15 Academy’s victory over CF Montréal in the MLS NEXT Cup final. Reflecting on that important match, Matty knew in the moment that his team could win it. High-pressure competitions like these often serve as proving grounds for young players, and Dos Santos showed he could deliver when it mattered most.
His journey required serious commitment. Dos Santos spent countless hours traveling from Sandy Hook to the Red Bulls training facility in Whippany, New Jersey. At one point, he even switched to online schooling to balance academics with his intense training schedule. These sacrifices showed just how serious he was about his goal, and they were made possible with dedicated support from his family.
In 2024, Dos Santos officially began transitioning into the professional level. While still part of the academy, he signed a contract to play with New York Red Bulls II, the club’s developmental squad competing in MLS NEXT Pro. He made his Red Bulls II debut against New England Revolution II on June 14, 2024. Though he played for only a few minutes in his debut, it was the first of several appearances that season which helped him gain valuable professional experience.
In March 2025, Dos Santos signed his first professional contract with New York Red Bulls II, marking a major milestone in his career.
“Finally realizing I’ll be living my dream it’s something I worked for being a kid and signing my contract with the club that developed me,” Dos Santos said.
“I found out the news before Matty, while unaware of this big achievement as he worked so hard for this moment,” Ana Dos Santos said.
The 2025 season quickly became a breakthrough year for the young defender. He earned his first start with Red Bulls II on March 7, 2025, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 victory over Atlanta United 2.
“I’ll never forget the mental preparation I had with (Ibra) Sekagya a former RB2 coach, “who believed in my technical ability,” Dos Santos said.
On April 6, 2025, he scored his first professional goal in a 3–2 victory over Chicago Fire FC II after converting a free kick.
“I haven’t scored in a long time because defenders don’t get the chance to score goals, so scoring my first professional goal was the best feeling ever,” Dos Santos said.
By the middle of the season, Dos Santos had proved himself a regular starter and was logging for significant minutes for someone his age.
His performances also gained national recognition. In May 2025, Dos Santos received his first call-up to the United States U-17 Men’s National Team. In early June, he traveled to Spain for a training camp and took part in several international friendlies.
Transitioning into professional soccer also comes with many obstacles. He has had to adapt to playing against older and more physically mature opponents, learn the speed and tactical demands of professional training, handle expectations as a well-known academy product, and remain healthy and prepared whenever opportunities arise. So far, Dos Santos has shown the ability to adjust and perform. The coaching staff’s trust in him is clear, as they have repeatedly relied on him to start games and play full matches.
Dos Santos has often said that one of his main goals was to eventually make his debut with the first team. That dream recently became reality when he officially signed with the New York Red Bulls first team in Major League Soccer, marking the next major step in his professional career.
The journey there, however, has not been easy. Long commutes, frequent travel, balancing schoolwork, and adapting physically to higher levels of competition all came with real pressure. His family’s support, along with adjustments to his education and training schedule, played a major role in helping him manage these challenges. When considering the consistency required to train year-round with a combined with “long car drives, sacrifices, and competing at a higher level,” Dos Santos dedication becomes even clearer.
Along the way, he also helped lead the Red Bul New York II to the MLS NEXT Pro championship, winning the league title and cementing his role as one of the club’s most promising young defenders.
Looking ahead, Dos Santos continues to focus on growth, consistency, and winning.
As of March 6, 2026, Matthew Dos Santos has been impressive on the first 2 Major League Soccer Appearances. Making his first start at age 17 vs Orlando City, which can be from short term agreement from second team side Red Bull New York 2. The MLS Next pro champion officially signed a professional contract with first team side Red Bull New York for a three-and-a-half-year MLS contract through the 2028-2029 season with options for the 2029-30 season and the 2030-31 season.
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