Tanner Rosborough remembers what it was like leaving Pittsburgh in his early teenage years to join the Red Bull New York Academy in 2022.

Now, as a maturing 18-year-old forward who is pushing his way into Michael Bradley’s first team plans, Rosborough recalled his journey in an exclusive interview with South Ward Central.

“I would say it was a big adjustment; it was my first time away from home at 14 years old,” he remembered. “I wasn’t ready for the independence part of it yet. It took a couple of months for sure for me to really get going into my groove, but once I hit that stride, it’s just been a lot of up from there from the academy quickly to second team and now the first team. So, it was definitely a big risk at the time, but it’s paid off extremely well.”

Hometown Connections Add Extra Meaning to U.S. Open Cup Clash

On Wednesday night, Rosborough could be in line to face some familiar faces when Red Bull New York takes on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Round 32 of the U.S. Open Cup.

“I’ve already had a couple of my friends texting me like oh you’re playing the Riverhounds,” he said. “It’s really cool. I wasn’t like a huge go to their games guy, but occasionally you go to a game and [it’s a] really cool environment. It’s kind of just our hometown team, so it’s gonna be really cool to play against them.

“I’m really excited for it and obviously want to beat them too, [I] love Pittsburgh, but you gotta go and take them down.”

Exclusive: Tanner Rosborough on His Rise at Red Bull New York Under Michael Bradley

Rivalry With Aldi Flowers-Gamboa Adds Another Layer

Back in his younger days in Pittsburgh, Rosborough formed a competitive rivalry with current Riverhounds forward Aldi Flowers-Gamboa, who went on to become a standout at Plum High School.

“We almost kind of had a little rivalry going,” Rosborough explained. “I hope he’s on the roster for that game, just a cool little moment to play against someone who you grew up playing against, and we were kind of two of the bigger names growing up. So it would be a cool moment.”

Should Rosborough and Flowers-Gamboa each take part in Wednesday’s knockout match, they’ll write a new chapter on a big stage while vying to send their team through to the Round of 16.

The winner will host New York City FC on either April 28 or 29.

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