When the Red Bulls played an international friendly against FC Barcelona, we saw the home side play solid and tough. At the same time, they didn't embarrass themselves while giving the Catalan side a game they weren't expecting. You saw the kids attack and defend with a purpose and informed Barca they are here to play and give you a workout.
Attacking along the right side of the pitch Edelman has looked strong and looks very comfortable bringing up the ball, as well as defending it when he is partnered up along with Dru Yearwood, moving Cristian Casserers Jr into a more attacking position in the midfield. His distribution of the ball to his teammates in the link-up play has been fantastic as he looks to flow fluently on the pitch.
He has the speed and the guile to make big plays whenever he sees an opportunity, as he nearly converted a chance against FC Cincinnati in the home one-goal draw, but in the next home match, he earned the match winner against Inter Miami. While up a man against the South Florida side Kyle Duncan crossed the ball into the middle and it was head out by the defender, yet Edelman read the play and after the ball bounced, he took a half volley, and Drake Callender never moved for the ball as it splashed the back of the net. That 53rd-minute tally was just as good for the Warren, NJ native as it was for the fans inside Red Bull Arena.
"Yeah, first off the goal is an incredible feeling. I did that in front of my family tonight, Mom, Dad. That’s who I was showing the heart to, my brother was here and it’s just an incredible feeling." said Edelman, "I grew up watching these guys and now I’m on the field scoring my first goal."
His type of hustle and energy reminds me of a former Red Bull player that blazed his own trail to the senior side from the USL Championship side and is making a huge splash, oh that's right he's the current Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams who had somewhat of the same splash of an entrance but showed his stuff against Chelsea, winning the USL Title with the two team and worked his way to the US Men's National Team.
But Edelman is forging his own path as he was a part of the side that won the CONCACAF U-20 Championship and qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. My feeling is that Edelman will be away for both those tournaments wearing the Red, White & Blue. But you are seeing this kid making adult decisions on the pitch with the Red Bulls and starting to make a claim in the starting lineup.
"I’m super happy. Right now, I think, with the win in Atlanta, unfortunately, the tie in Cincinnati, we could have gotten three points there, but a huge win tonight. Definitely feeling pretty good right now. The way I’m playing, the guys around me are certainly helping me get the job done so I thank them. But for me, I think it’s just continuing to be aggressive, continuing to look forward, and try to be as impactful as I can on every play whether it’s against the ball or with the ball."
While John Tolkin, Sean Nealis, Caden Clark, and a few others have done well for this site. Players like Edelman & Serge Ngoma are looking like they could have a bright future for this club, depending on if scouts from European sides are looking at both players and wanting to make a big transfer fee purchase. But for now, we just need to show some praise for the young players and see how they finish off the season, then get ready for the playoffs.
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