Following the conclusion of the New York Red Bulls II season, midfielder Daniel Edelman was called in for Under-20 United States Men’s National Team Camp, participating in the 2021 Revelations Cup in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico.
“It was an awesome experience, I was really glad to be back in camp again with the guys,” Edelman said. “They all look at soccer and the game in a similar way that I do, which is really great to see.”
The U-20’s went 0-2-1 as they played Colombia to a 1-1 draw and fell to Brazil and Mexico. New York Red Bulls midfielder Caden Clark scored the team’s goal against Colombia off a penalty kick.
“There’s a lot of potential for this team,” Edelman said. “I think during those three games, each game we improved and got better as a team.”
Edelman played the second and third matches, getting the start against Colombia and logging the full 90 minutes. He came on in the second half as a substitute in the final match against Mexico.
The experience with the U-20’s followed a season with New York Red Bulls II in which Edelman appeared in 30 matches, a feat only six other players have reached in club history. He ranked second on the team in minutes (2,503), and led the team in interceptions (54), tackles (83) and tackles won (54). He also scored a goal and tallied an assist.
“The 30 USL games this season certainly helped me because it gave me a great experience,” Edelman said. “It prepared me for all of these different types of situations that I could face with the U.S. Those games benefitted me because I took so much from all of them, and I was faced with new obstacles in each of them and I had to be on my toes and adapt.”
In terms of adjusting to the international game, he credited a lot of the transition to how he played with NYRB II.
“Coming from the Red Bulls, I think that already had helped me because the Red Bulls philosophy is all about pressing, running out to the ball, and winning the ball back immediately. That really helped me in the U.S. games because I was always going after the ball and always trying to win it back immediately, and just being really aggressive. That’s what I think they appreciate the most. Someone like Tyler Adams, who’s in the U.S. system right now, they love him for that.”
Edelman and Clark, who were teammates last season for NYRB II, were reunited on the pitch at the Revelations Cup.
“That was quite exciting for me, stepping on the field with him, I haven’t played with him in a while,” Edelman said. “Sharing the same club, we have the same ideas in terms of the style of play with the Red Bulls. I was just so happy to be on the field with him, he’s a great player and we definitely have good chemistry together.”
When looking towards the future, Edelman cited a lot of positive takeaways from the U-20 experience.
“It was a really great opportunity for us to start out this camp and this process together,” Edelman said. “There’s a long way to go for us, but we’re stepping in the right direction.”
