MetroFanatic: Dan, you used to go to Watching Hills High School? I drove by it today.
Daniel Edelman: I graduated in 2021.

MF: What was the decision to go pro that early?
DE: I finished my senior year. I was still with Red Bull II at the time. I was originally committed to UNC. I made the decision to sign a pro contract with Red Bull II, and honestly just believed in myself. I always wanted to be a pro since I was a young kid. That was gonna be the route. Honestly, the pro route, the last year, the last ten games of the season that I got to play in... If I went to college, some of the opportunities I got last year would not have happened. With the U-20s, captaining that side in the CONCACAF Championship. It was definitely a tough choice.

MF: The CONCACAF Championship means the Olympics. Is that in your mind too?
DE: 2024, that would be incredible to go to. I'm obviously focus to, obviously, being selected for this year's World Cup in May with the U-20s. That's definitely a focus of mine right now. It's exciting stuff.

MF: Can you talk about your path through the academy?
DE: I was with PDA for my whole life, and then I finally made the decision...

MF: Why?
DE: Honestly, PDA did a lot for me, and I was there for a long time, but they can only do so much and I had to make the move to Red Bull because of the pathway that they offer, not only domestically with the New York Red Bulls, but also internationally with a bunch of those sides overseas. I knew right away that I had to make the transition to the academy. That began my pathway to start playing with Red Bull II.

MF: You scored a wonder goal against Miami last season. Have you had a chance to reflect on that?
DE: The moment really set in for me as the game was over and I was walking back to the tunnel and realized that I just scored my first professional goal with the New York Red Bulls, this is a dream come true right now. Honestly, seeing my family after the match, and my mom, and dad, and everyone, it was a full circle moment for me. It was definitely a struggle for me to not get as much time in the beginning of the year, and to have that goal was a truly special moment.

MF: Give us some of the thought process when you put that ball down.
DE: Those types of plays happen more in midfield, when a bouncing ball comes down and you step in front of the opposition defending. On the jump, the ball got served in, I was able to press forward to the guy ahead of me, and I was ambitious. As soon as I got my foot on it, other guys, Casseres and Klimala were there, they asked me after the game if I saw them. I saw them, but I had to take it.

MF: Very nerdy question. Why #75?
DE: (laughs) I got 75 when I was with Red Bull II. Honestly, just stuck it out. I like how the numbers look on the back.

MF: Another nerdy question... Are you Jewish?
DE: Yes, I am.

MF: Awesome! You just made my day.
DE: (laughs)