It’s easy for New York Red Bulls fans used to seeing lineups littered with homegrowns to lose sight that at most clubs in global soccer, having any local academy player reach first-team status is a much rarer and more heralded occasion. When outside back Tom Edwards finally graduated from the Stoke City academy to playing full senior matches, it was considered something of a landmark at the relatively small Staffordshire club known for its recent decade-long stint in the Premier League.
“He has seen all the changes back to when this was just a field and a portacabin.