Red Bull New York defender Connor Faello needed a moment to take it all in after making his MLS debut on Wednesday.
“It just felt absolutely insane,” Faello explained after Wednesday’s match. “Once I get that call-up and have a chance to play, it just feels unreal. I was playing high school soccer not even two years ago, and here I am now. So it’s just absolutely insane. I can’t even describe it, but it’s an unreal feeling.”
After all, it was less than two years ago that he was playing for Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School.
Red Bull New York Veterans Made Faello Feel ‘Welcome Right Away’
Now as an 18-year-old, Faello was suddenly sharing a dressing room with veteran stars Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and playing against one of the league’s top opponents in St. Louis CITY SC.
“The guys are just unbelievable,” Faello said of New York’s veteran leaders. “They made me welcome right away. Just playing with them, training with them is unbelievable. These are guys I always looked up to. So just being able to share a space with them is just awesome.”
Though the Red Bulls lost 3-0 to St. Louis, New York’s long list of international duty departures and injuries opened the door for Faello and two other teenagers to make their MLS debuts on Wednesday.
Winger Pedro Castro entered the match alongside Faello in the 63rd minute, and midfielder Nate Worth subbed on in the 84th minute.
“It’s amazing,” Faello said. “Nate’s the captain of the team [Red Bull New York II] and he’s an unbelievable player. He’s definitely a great guy too off the field. So it’s unbelievable to do it with him and Pedro.
“Pedro just comes in here, plays one game with the second team, just dominates, and then in here he’s just unbelievable too. So he’s definitely a special player also. I’m just glad to be with those two guys.”
Faello Credits Dominik Wohlert for Raising His Confidence
Faello credited Red Bull New York II head coach Dominik Wohlert for preparing him mentally for what it would take to succeed at the MLS NEXT Pro level.
The young outside back made 18 appearances and recorded one assist in his first MLS NEXT Pro season with Red Bull II.
“Dom has so much trust in me,” Faello said. “I actually came into preseason and my mind wasn’t right. But he was the one who kind of helped me fix it, just get on the right track. He just got my confidence so much higher than it was. So he helped me so much. His trust in me is just unbelievable. I definitely give so much credit to him.”
Following Wednesday’s contest, Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley spoke of Faello’s strengths.
“Connor is an interesting profile because he’s a right-footed player that has played a lot as a left-back,” Bradley explained. “He can play right-back, but when he plays left-back, his ability to be two-footed and to be a little bit unpredictable when he gets balls, that’s a real strength.”
Faello Shares Special Moment With His Family
Faello took a moment to recognize his family for their role in helping him achieve his MLS debut dream. Seeing his No. 45 jersey with Faello printed above it hanging in the Red Bull New York dressing room was a meaningful moment for the teenage defender and his family.
“Without them, I definitely won’t be where I am,” he said. “I give so much credit to them — my two parents and my brother, especially. All three of them are just amazing support. Seeing my jersey up there, it was an amazing, amazing feeling and my family were super, super happy for me.”
The Long Island native took the biggest step forward in his career after signing his first professional contract in late June.
Faello’s MLS debut served as a reminder of just how quickly his career has progressed. Family and friends on Long Island and Red Bull New York supporters will continue to follow his progress closely.
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