New York Red Bulls holding midfielder Daniel Edelman watched in frustration as the United States Men’s National Team lost 2-1 to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final. The 22-year-old from New Jersey has progressed through the US ranks, becoming a key part of the Red Bulls’ midfield. He joined the USMNT Under-16 team in 2019, making four appearances, and later captained the U20 side to a CONCACAF championship in 2022.

Despite his achievements, Edelman has not received recent calls from the USMNT. In March 2024, before the Summer Games in Paris, he was only called into one of three U23 camps and did not make the Olympic roster. He has not yet been invited to the senior team’s camp, despite stabilizing New York’s midfield to an MLS Eastern Conference title, which he admits is frustrating.

Edelman told amNewYork, “I thought I should have been called up at the beginning of January, after the MLS Cup. I really didn’t know what more I could have done, but it’s definitely giving me a chip on my shoulder to keep playing and perform well with the Red Bulls. So hopefully I’ll be able to get an opportunity with the national team someday.”

There is competition for the holding midfielder position in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, with Tyler Adams and Johnny Cardoso being prominent options. However, Edelman believes he can contribute, noting that the Americans still reached the Gold Cup Final without stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.

“The roster that was picked, that’s just how it is,” Edelman said. “But I would add such a good value to the team, because I know what it’s like to play for the national team. And I don’t think other guys really understand that, who are in that squad. And I think that I’m going to keep fighting to try to make my way into the team.”

The squad for the Gold Cup was less experienced, though it was an impressive run for the Americans’ “B” roster. Players like Sebastian Berhalter and Patrick Agyemang were included despite limited national-team experience.

“It definitely motivates me to want to be on the team, seeing that we lost to Mexico,” Edelman said. “I mean, I would kill to play in a game like that… It’s definitely something I dreamed of playing, making my debut, and everything. But, you know, the boys battled well always for the national team, and I support them, because I love the USA.”

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