Daniel Edelman Bio
Daniel Ethan Edelman (born April 28, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club St. Louis City, where he wears the number 24 shirt. A product of the New York Red Bulls academy, Edelman rose through the reserve side before establishing himself as a starter in MLS, and he has represented the United States at multiple youth international levels, including captaining the under-20 team.
Born in Warren Township, New Jersey, Edelman built his early reputation as a tireless, ball-winning central midfielder with strong passing range. He signed a homegrown contract with the Red Bulls in late 2021 and spent several seasons developing in one of MLS’s most demanding environments before completing a move to St. Louis City in January 2026.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Ethan Edelman was born on April 28, 2003, in Warren Township, New Jersey, and grew up in a deeply athletic household. He is Jewish, a detail that has shaped part of his identity in coverage of American soccer’s rising generation. His father, Ari, played collegiate soccer at Loyola Maryland, providing a direct connection to the game from a young age.
His mother, Patty, is a notable figure in her own right, recognized as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball among schools in Maryland. The combination of a soccer-playing father and a record-setting basketball mother gave Edelman a competitive, multisport upbringing that informed his work rate and tactical awareness on the field.
Edelman attended Watchung Hills Regional High School in New Jersey, where he played prep soccer while also training with a top regional club. He was part of the youth system at the Players Development Academy (PDA) from 2015 to 2020, a respected development pipeline that produced several professional players. In 2020, he transitioned into the New York Red Bulls academy, a move that set the stage for his professional career.
Path to Professional Soccer
Edelman’s path to the professional ranks followed a traditional American youth pipeline of club academy play combined with high school competition. At PDA, he developed the technical foundation and tactical discipline that would later define his game, before earning a place in the New York Red Bulls academy in 2020.
His first taste of senior soccer came on July 17, 2020, when he was named to the bench for New York Red Bulls II, the club’s reserve affiliate, against Hartford Athletic. He came on as a late second-half substitute in a 0–1 defeat, and one match later he scored his first professional goal in the 56th minute of a 5–1 victory over Philadelphia Union II, immediately announcing himself as a player comfortable at the senior level.
On March 24, 2021, Edelman signed a professional contract with New York Red Bulls II for the 2021 season, becoming a regular starter under coach John Wolyniec. He started 28 matches that year, scored once, and led the club in interceptions, tackles, tackles won, duels won, and passes, statistics that underlined his two-way midfield profile and his readiness for the first team.
Daniel Edelman Career
Early Career at New York Red Bulls II (2020–2023)
Edelman’s time with New York Red Bulls II served as the developmental bridge between youth soccer and the MLS first team. Across his appearances with the reserve side from 2020 through 2023, he evolved from a late-game substitute into a regular starter, learning the demands of professional training and the rigors of a full season schedule.
His 2021 campaign stood out as a breakthrough year at the reserve level, with 28 starts and a defensive statistical profile that ranked him at or near the top of the squad in several key categories. That production convinced the Red Bulls first team that he was ready for a larger role, leading to a homegrown contract announcement later that same year.
New York Red Bulls Breakthrough (2022–2025)
On December 17, 2021, Edelman signed a homegrown player contract with New York Red Bulls beginning with the 2022 season. He made his senior debut on February 26, 2022, entering as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes in the season opener. On May 10, 2022, he made his first start for New York in a 3–0 victory over D.C. United, helping the club advance to the Round of 16 in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup.
Edelman’s first league start came on July 24, 2022, in a 4–3 victory over Austin FC at Q2 Stadium, and on August 27, 2022, he scored his first professional goal for the senior side in a 3–1 win against Inter Miami. These milestones cemented his status as a first-team contributor and a long-term piece of the Red Bulls midfield.
In 2023, Edelman continued his growth, opening his goal account for the season on June 24 in a 4–0 victory over Atlanta United, where he also added an assist. He remained a regular through the middle years of his contract, and on July 16, 2025, he opened the scoring for New York in a 5–3 victory over the New England Revolution, a reminder of his attacking instincts from central midfield.
St. Louis City Era (2026–Present)
Edelman joined St. Louis City on January 13, 2026, completing a move that gave him a fresh start with an ambitious expansion club looking to build a competitive identity in the Western Conference. He continues to wear the number 24 shirt for his new team.
The transition to St. Louis City positioned Edelman as a central figure in the club’s midfield rebuild, with his experience in a high-pressing system making him a logical fit for the team’s style. His early months with the club are expected to feature prominently as St. Louis City looks to climb the conference standings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Edelman is best described as a modern two-way central midfielder whose strengths lie in ball recovery, tackling, and distribution. His time at New York Red Bulls II showed a player who led his team in interceptions, tackles, and duels won, while also completing large passing volumes, a combination that translates well to high-pressing systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Edelman’s signature moments are his first professional goal against Philadelphia Union II in 2020, his MLS debut in the 2022 season opener against San Jose, his first senior goal versus Inter Miami in August 2022, and his opening goal in a 5–3 win over the New England Revolution in 2025. He also captained the United States under-20 national team, a leadership honor that reflected both his on-field quality and his standing within the program.
Daniel Edelman Career Wins
Across his time with New York Red Bulls II and New York Red Bulls, Edelman has accumulated notable victories in MLS regular-season play, U.S. Open Cup matches, and reserve league competition, with his first professional goal in 2020 marking the start of a consistent winning contribution.
New York Red Bulls Highlights
Edelman’s first win with the senior team came on February 26, 2022, a 3–1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the season opener, while his first league start produced a 4–3 win at Austin FC on July 24, 2022. His first senior goal arrived in a 3–1 win over Inter Miami later that summer, and he continued to influence results in 2023 with a goal and an assist in a 4–0 rout of Atlanta United.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his MLS contributions, Edelman helped the Red Bulls reach the Round of 16 of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, and he played a key role in a 5–3 win over the New England Revolution in 2025. His extensive reserve-team experience with New York Red Bulls II, including 28 starts in 2021, also produced a series of league victories and further individual development.
Daniel Edelman Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Edelman comes from an athletic family that helped shape his competitive drive. His father, Ari, played collegiate soccer at Loyola Maryland, while his mother, Patty, is recognized as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball among schools in Maryland, a record that places her among the most accomplished scorers in the history of college basketball in the state.
Personal Life
Edelman was raised in Warren Township, New Jersey, and is Jewish. He attended Watchung Hills Regional High School, where he played prep soccer before committing fully to the professional pathway. Public details about a spouse, partner, or children are not available from verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Daniel Edelman’s 2025 season with New York Red Bulls was a steady year of development in central midfield, with the midfielder serving as a regular contributor in the team’s domestic schedule. He continued to show the defensive reliability that defined his early professional years, combining tackling and interception work with clean distribution from deep.
One of the season’s most memorable moments came on July 16, 2025, when Edelman opened the scoring for New York in a high-scoring 5–3 victory over the New England Revolution, a result that highlighted his knack for contributing decisive moments in attack.
As the season progressed, Edelman’s profile within the squad continued to grow, reinforcing his value to the Red Bulls and laying the groundwork for his January 2026 move to St. Louis City. His 2025 campaign served as a strong closing chapter to his time in New York.
