HARRISON, N.J. – Some New York Red Bulls fans already look at Luis Robles as a club legend. On Saturday night, he added to his lore.

After tying Tony Meola’s franchise record for shutouts last weekend against New York City FC (25), the Arizona native managed to blank Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez and the rest of the high-powered Toronto FC offense en route to his seventh shutout of the season, pushing Robles past Meola for the club record.

“I think it’s pretty cool cause growing up, I looked up to Tony,” Robles said after the match. “He was such an icon on that ’94 World Cup team, and of course, playing for the MetroStars and then the Red Bulls, he’s an icon in this area and continues to be very involved in soccer.”

That “icon” also helped Robles in his transition from a late season acquisition for the Red Bulls in 2012 to the undeniable starter he is today.

It is easy to forget that Robles was a shot-in-the-dark signing for Hans Backe and his Red Bulls just three short years ago. The once-promising American born goalkeeper eschewed a career in MLS for the bright lights of European football. However, things did not go as hoped for Robles, bouncing from 1. FC Kaiserslautern II to 1. FC Kaiserslautern and finally Karlsruher SC where he was relegated to bench duties.

With Ryan Meara falling to injury and Bill Gaudette floundering, New York took a flier on Robles, who closed out the season with the club.

Hoping to end the club-hopping and establish roots for his growing family, Robles decided to make a run at the Red Bulls starting position. That winter, he reached out to U.S. National Team legend Tony Meola for assistance.

“One day out of the blue, I got a call from an unknown number,” Meola recalls. “I answered it and it was Luis Robles.

“At that point, he was just coming back to the league and trying to establish himself as a starter in the league. He told me there were a couple of things he wanted to work on and if I had time to work with him,” Meola continued. “I said yeah, absolutely. I always have time for guys that care about getting better — especially in this position.”

The two men began working out in the offseason alongside local journeyman keeper Chris Konopka. “[Robles] would drive down a couple of times a week to the bubble by me,” Meola said. “He would come down and say ‘today I would want to work on something specific,’ and we would do it.

“From that point on, I kind of had an affinity for following him. This is a guy who clearly loved what he was doing and was trying to get better at it. I was happy to lend a hand at that point and hopefully it was a period he felt he maybe turned the corner a little bit.”

After surpassing Meola’s mark this weekend against Toronto FC, Robles shared his feelings, not just about the milestone — but indeed, the influence of Meola on his game.

“He’s been involved with my career here at Red Bull, and I only have positive things to say about Tony,” he began. “I know he was honored last game so for him to be there, that was special, and as soon as the week starts, he’ll probably send me a text saying, ‘congratulations.’ He’s such a class act and a great role model.”

Likewise, Meola took to Twitter immediately after the match to express his congratulations as well:

It was a moment that brought both Meola and Robles full circle. Robles surpassed the franchise record of his childhood hero — the very childhood hero that helped him get his career back on track.

As far as Red Bull history goes, both men will have their names intertwined for years to come.

With records aside, Meola now looks forward to the next chapter in the still-budding career of Luis Robles.

“I am proud of him,” Meola said. “When I first met him, it was a time when I am not so sure Red Bull really believed in him. He knew he had a long road ahead of him and he got his opportunity and he took it.

“As far as goalkeepers go, he is probably the most underrated goalkeeper in Major League Soccer in my opinion,” Meola said. “If anyone has the opportunity to just be around him, he is just a good guy. I am really, really proud of him.”