At the end of the 2018 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, New York Red Bulls U23 alum Brian White had not only achieved his dream of becoming a professional player, he had done so as part of the same family that helped him reach that point.

The No. 16 overall selection, White found himself selected by the senior team for the Red Bulls, and was the first of three Red Bulls selections from their U23 PDL club. The organization’s draft plan was a testament to the club’s internal philosophy of developing youth players internally and trusting them as the future of the first team. In total, the Red Bulls U23 had five players selected in 2018.

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Since the draft, White has continued to work with the Red Bulls in a professional environment he first got to experience as part of their U23 club. For the Duke alum, his intergration into the Red Bulls system is a testament to the club’s culture and youth-driven approach. While his selection comes as no surprise to those who saw his 2017 PDL MVP campaign, in which White scored 17 goals in 14 matches, he is ready to keep pushing himself at the pro level and prove himself a key part of the Red Bulls organization.

During his busy preseason of preparation ahead of his rookie year, White spoke to USLPDL.com about his SuperDraft experience, the Red Bulls U23 and what it means to take another step towards his dream of playing professionally.

Brian White

New York Red Bulls Forward

PDL: You were selected 16th overall by the Red Bulls, how did it feel to hear your name called to the stage?

Brian White: It felt amazing to hear my name called. It has always been a dream of mine to get drafted and become a professional player. This is something I have worked so hard for and sacrificed so much for, so to finally see this dream come true was very special for me and my family.

PDL: The Red Bulls drafted three players in 2018 who have featured for the Red Bulls U23, and six total were selected from the PDL club. How does the PDL team contribute to the development of so many future professionals?

BW: I think the PDL team and league goes a long way to helping players develop. A lot of teams train 3 or 4 times a week with one or two games a week so it’s a lot of soccer, and the great thing about Red Bulls U23 is that the club gives us some opportunities to train with the first and second teams. This gives us the chance to be in the professional environment and learn and adapt at that level. Overall, it’s just a great experience.

PDL: You’re very familiar with the Red Bulls organization, having played for the Red Bulls U23 in the PDL in 2015 and 2017. What makes the organization a good home for players like yourself?

BW: I think the Red Bulls have a great club culture. They want to bring in young players and want to give them a chance, you can tell by the number of homegrowns in with the first team right now.  They also play a style that is all about getting to goal and scoring so as a forward it’s an enjoyable style of play.

PDL: You were prolific with the Red Bulls U23, winning the PDL MVP in 2017 while scoring 17 goals in 14 games, displaying an impressive nose for goal. What areas of your game do you hope to improve upon as you move to the professional level?

BW: I’m usually pretty hard on myself so I always think there are a lot of aspects that I need to improve.  I’m always trying to learn from those around me. Different runs, different turns, different ideas in the final third, or different ways of finishing. Then just speed of play at the professional level of the game is very fast and physical so I’m trying to adapt to it.

PDL: You’ve begun training as we approach the start of soccer season, how has your first professional preseason been so far?

BW: My first preseason has been good. It’s very different than college so it’s been a transition period where I’m trying to adapt to the professional ranks. But as the weeks go on I feel myself learning and improving. I’ve just been trying to learn as much as I can, like a sponge. I’m surrounded by great players and the older guys have been great in welcoming all the younger guys and pushing us to keep the standard. I’m excited to keep pushing, keep growing, and keep learning.