Red Bull New York captain Emil Forsberg is doing everything in his power to set high standards for youthful teammates to follow.

After New York’s deep offseason roster overhaul, the 34-year-old attacking midfielder is suddenly swarmed by teenagers who are looking to soak up his knowledge and emulate his training habits.

Red Bull has already seen 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmeti, 17-year-old left-back Matthew Dos Santos and 17-year-old forward Julian Hall perform in starting roles. Other youngsters like 17-year-old forward Tanner Rosborough and 19-year-old defender Joyeux Masanka Bungi are knocking on the door for their slice of first-team action.

Alongside fellow veterans Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Tim Parker, Ethan Horvath, John McCarthy and Dylan Nealis, Forsberg is being counted on by first-year head coach Michael Bradley to push teammates in training and create an environment of professionalism and accountability.

“I think mentality-wise, we set the bar very high,” Forsberg said on Thursday. “Intensity-wise, we set the bar very high. In every aspect, we set the bar very high, and everybody demands everything from everybody. I think that’s very important. Even though they’re young guys, we know what we have to expect from them and what we expect from each other.”

Forsberg Embraces Leadership Role With Young Red Bulls

Forsberg understands that New York’s collection of teenage talents needs leeway to figure out the path to establishing themselves as first team regulars without feeling overburdened by pressure.

“So like I said before, you’re going to find that balance between enjoying, but still we need that hard work,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy. Some of these guys are playing MLS for the first time, so you’ve got to have patience in that way and also let them enjoy it, because it’s dangerous to make it feel like it’s hard or it’s pressure.”

The Swedish international sees the right approach and a burning desire to succeed from these fresh faced youngsters.

“You get to do what you love, so enjoy it, and that’s what I’m trying to tell these kids every day,” he said. “Soon [I’m] turning 35, take advantage of the time you have on the pitch and enjoy it. I think it’s very important. You can see that on them outside on the pitch as well, that they have no fear. They want to do their best for themselves, for the team. If you do that, things will solve themselves. So in that way, I’m very excited in the way we’re heading.”

Forsberg might be one of the oldest players in the Red Bull dressing room, but he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. His older legs seem to be handling the rigors of a 34-match MLS regular season just fine.

“I feel fantastic,” he stated. “We trained very hard in the pre-season. I feel very good, body-wise. So for me, it’s not a problem. I think it’s these young kids keeping me young.

“So I’ll take it any day of the week. So I’m just enjoying it. I want to do the best I can, push the young guys and just be kind of a safe spot out there for everybody. So in that kind of way, I feel fantastic. Of course, the last game was unfortunate, but I think we’re and I know we’re building something very good in the way we want to play, in the way we want to work, in the dressing room, out on the pitch and also the team spirit, what we want to do. I think it’s heading in a fantastic way.”

He might be months away from his 35th birthday, but Forsberg is still central to what New York is trying to accomplish. He’s still the leader and the go-guy for the Red Bulls.

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