New York Red Bulls: Who was lost, who remains after Expansion Draft
Jan 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The draft table of New York Red Bulls at the 2015 MLS SuperDraft at Philadelphia Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Homegrown player and teenage phenom Tyler Adams, 18, of Wappingers Falls, New York is U-20 World Cup bound.

Tyler Adams named to the U-20 men’s training camp for the U-20 World Cup play highlights his successes on the field for RBNY this season.

Who Is Tyler Adams?

Born February 14, 1999, Tyler Adams made it to the New York Red Bulls first team in 2015 at age 16. Success came quickly after being the first player to sign with Red Bulls II. His first year with Red Bulls II he saw a USL Championship title. Not yet a high school graduate and Adams is seeking to earn a U-20 World Cup along with his diploma. Just a quick refresher of events that occurred in 1999:

  • Major League Soccer turned six
  • Bill Clinton Impeachment
  • SpongeBob Square Pants Debuted
  • Star Wars Episode One Debuted
  • New York Yankees Win 25th World Series Championship
[graphiq id=”3XjRvfDU9Nj” title=”Tyler Adams” width=”500″ height=”735″ url=”https://sw.graphiq.com/w/3XjRvfDU9Nj” frozen=”true”]

New York Red Bulls and Tyler Adams

While only playing one game in 2016 Tyler Adams’s performance in 2017 is promising. Adams thus far played seven games totaling 615 minutes. He started the first three games as an unused sub. Since then he has played all ninety minutes besides against Sporting KC (5/3) Orlando (4/9).

With Adams playing RBNY have seen a record of 3W-1T-3L. While the overall roster may not seem like a great indicator keep in mind HE’S ONLY 17! His youth is clearly not a factor where the Red Bulls are still seeking to find themselves as a team on the pitch. Typically young players who are recently signed see time only in the U.S. Open Cup early rounds or early CONCACAF rounds. Clearly, Jesse Marsch sees potential in Adams.

Adams’s Time is Now

While only 17, Tyler Adams has a prime opportunity to prove himself. This U-20 World Cup training camp call-up will provide exposure not only throughout the United States, but internationally. We shall not forget recent RBNY turned-superstars early on in their careers:

  • Jozy Altidore- After two years transferred to Villarreal FC in Spain
  • Michael Bradley- After one year transferred to Netherland side SC Heerenveen before appearing for English side Aston Villa and Italian side Roma
  • Eddie Gaven- After two years transferred to Columbus Crew where he won MLS Cup in 2008
  • Tim Howard- After five years transferred to English side Manchester United
  • Tim Ream- After one year transferred to English side Bolton Wanderers

These are only a few examples of RBNY players who made a name for themselves at an early age. Adams, however, certainly has expectations with RBNY popping out top notch players in such short timeframes.

How Will This Influence RBNY Play?

For now, it seems that Tyler Adams will certainly miss a few of the New York Red Bulls’s upcoming games. RBNY in the short term will be without Adams until at least May 28th (group stage of the tournament). This means Adams will likely be out for the games against LA, Toronto, and New England. While all good teams, fortunately for RBNY these games are home. Since the team has an 80% win percentage at home. This will certainly be in RBNY favor in Adams’s absence.

For now, fellow New York Red Bulls fans, celebrate the potential and opportunity for the youngster. As for a message to the RBNY Front Office: Please do not give up young talent so quickly this time around.

Chris Sudol is a former college soccer player who now avidly supports the New York Red Bulls, Arsenal, and Barcelona, among many other soccer teams.