Daniel Edelman: RBNY has “youthful energy” – Struber “very detail-oriented”

Exclusive interview 

After 35 games (two goals and one assist) in the USL Championship with New York Red Bulls II, Daniel Edelman has made the jump to Major League Soccer ahead of this season. This season, the 18-year-old midfielder has featured twice for the New York Red Bulls in MLS (no goals). In an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt, Edelman spoke about making the senior team, following in the footsteps of Tyler Adams, and working with head coach Gerhard Struber.

Edelman has played 16 minutes this season, featuring in the 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on matchday 1 and the 4-1 victory over Toronto FC on matchday 2. “It’s been an amazing experience so far,” Edelman said to Transfermarkt. “Being part of the first team has been everything I could imagine, especially as I grew up as a fan of the club.”

The 18-year-old was not involved in the 1-0 defeat against Minnesota United and the 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew. Still, seven points out of the first four games represent a good start in a heavily balanced league like MLS. Furthermore, with an average age of just 22.3, the New York Red Bulls have the youngest squad in MLS, and some setbacks were expected ahead of the season.

Daniel Edelman: “Helps to have familiar faces in the dressing room”

Nonetheless, Edelman emphasized the positives from the start of the season. “It builds confidence among the group,” Edelman said. “But we know this is a long season, and we’ll have to continue our run of form improve as the season progresses.”

Edelman is one of seven teenagers in the squad, and another 12 players fall into the U23 category. Part of the Red Bull empire, RBNY were built as a young squad on purpose as the decision-makers in Austria wanted to develop talent in the United States for the big clubs in Salzburg and Leipzig.

A young dressing room, however, also helps players like Edelman to make the transition to MLS. “I’d say it definitely helps with the transition to having familiar faces in the locker room and a youthful energy, where everyone wants to improve,” Edelman said while pointing out the importance of veterans like Aaron Long and Ryan Meara in the squad.

Another essential aspect is head coach Struber. The 45-year-old was signed from Barnsley in October 2020 to help develop Red Bull talent in New York. Struber is deeply embedded in the Red Bull philosophy, having worked at Red Bull Salzburg’s youth setup and as a manager at partner club FC Liefering.

“Working with Struber has been excellent so far,” Edelman said. “He’s very passionate, detail-oriented, and demanding of the group, but keeps a positive environment and wants everyone to improve. He has so much experience, and I’m grateful to be able to learn from him and the entire staff.”

Edelman: Proud of defensive “work rate and ability to win duels”

Edelman described the Red Bull style of play as a high tempo, pressing style of football. “We want to make it tough for any opponent to play against us,” Edelman said. How does Edelman fit into that system? “I’ve always prided myself in my defensive work rate and ability to win duels, which I believe should help play in this system.”

The teenager, however, was quick to point out that he would be happy to play any role in the team. “Ultimately, it is about results,” Edelman said. “I want to continue to improve each training session, take on any opportunity and earn more minutes.”

The scouts from Salzburg and Leipzig are always watching, and Adams is one example of a player, who has made the jump from RBNY to the Bundesliga. Another player is Caden Clark. The attacking midfielder has already been transferred to Leipzig but was loaned back to the New York Red Bulls ahead of the 2021 season.

Edelman: Adams and Clark show what you “need to do as a professional”

“Having seen what Tyler has done and what Caden is doing shows me the work I need to do as a professional,” Edelman said. “The pathway the New York Red Bulls have built from the Red Bulls Academy to Red Bulls II to Red Bulls allows me to see the potential down the road.”

Edelman is currently at the second step on that pathway. But Edelman played 2708 minutes spread over 35 games in the USL against grown men showing the sort of resilience needed for the next step, which would be more regular minutes in MLS.

Leipzig and Salzburg keep the door open for RBNY’s top prospects to train with the big clubs in Europe. COVID-19 and a hectic schedule have made it difficult, however. “It’s definitely something I’d like to do going forward if the opportunity presents itself,” Edelman said.

Up first is international duty—Edelman has been called up to the US men’s U20 national team—and MLS. The New York Red Bulls will be in action against the New England Revolution on April 2, the next opportunity for Edelman to gain valuable experience in Major League Soccer.

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