MetroFanatic: Brandon, there was some discussion a year ago that you wanted to disavow yourself from the organization. Is that true? The Internet says crazy things sometimes.
Brandon Allen: Yeah, yeah. It was one of those things where I had to make up for classes over the summer, because I was playing with the national team my freshman year. That definitely held be back a little bit from classes, so I had to make up a couple of classes in the summer. That didn't let me play with the Red Bulls in the summer, I think that was the main thing. When it came down to it, they were asking me, what do you really want to do, and my thing was, I'm really happy to be home with the Red Bulls, as I was with the U-16s, U-18s, playing in the academy.

MF: Did you have discussions previous years about signing?
BA: Yeah, my junior year, I got offered as well, but I wanted to finish school.

MF: Why?
BA: Definitely, because Georgetown is a big education school, that's the main reason why I chose to stay in school. I think, maybe anywhere else, maybe I'd decide to leave school and take a chance. But Georgetown is definitely a top school, and I'm happy I stayed in school.

MF: Alex was your teammate at Georgetown, do you have a good relationship with him?
BA: Yeah, we're definitely good friends, on and off the field. I think we definitely have a good connection on the field as well. I'm definitely happy to have him on this team. Just to have the connection here is great, to go to college, to the pros. It's definitely good you have someone to connect with at all times, somebody who came from my school and I already spent three and a half years with.

MF: Jesse talked about how some homegrown guys will get more playing time, some less. You think you're in the more group?
BA: I hope so, but we'll see. I'm gonna strive for success throughout the season, and work hard every day in practice to earn my spot.

MF: For those who haven't watched much college soccer, how would you describe your style of play?
BA: I like to play with my back to the goal. I'm also an inside-the-box guy, I also score goals as well. The way we play, our style is we go direct to goal. I like this style, I'm just getting used to it.

MF: Bradley plays with his back to the goal quite a lot.
BA: Right.

MF: So there's opportunity there.
BA: Yeah, also it's a good opportunity to learn from a player like Bradley. He's definitely a great player, and, as a rookie, it's great to have someone to look up to.

MF: So what's the perception of players who are academy graduates in college? Do they want to come to this team?
BA: I think Red Bull is a good spot for everybody, and it's definitely a good learning spot to start your career.