NYCFC: Jack Harrison’s Instant Impact

After only playing in six matches, Jack Harrison has solidified his position under Patrick Vieira. From being named to last week’s  MLS Player of the Week to Etihad’s Player of the Month, Harrison has made an impact.

Like it or not, the MLS is not an easy league to play in. Of course it’s not as popular as others around the world, but it’s difficult to settle in. There’s been a handful of players, especially from the SuperDraft that have had trouble finding their way in their team’s starting 11.

For NYCFC’s Jack Harrison, the MLS has been no problem and he’s showing his impact. Wherever Harrison would end up whether it be the Chicago Fire or anywhere else, it just seemed that the young gun was destined to shine. The credit for acquiring the 19-year old has to go to Claudio Reyna and the French gaffer, Patrick Vieira.

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When we all saw Harrison up at the podium with the Fire’s scarf around his neck, it was a no brainer that he would go be selected number one. When NYCFC had it’s one and only pick in the third spot, the NYCFC board had to make it count and they certainly did.

With only six matches in his MLS repertoire, Harrison is proving the scouts and everyone else that said he would shine, right. The first time he stepped on the field was under the wrong circumstances as he came on with his club down 5-0, leaving him no chance to show anything.

A week later, he got his first start and first career goal. Two weeks later, he grabbed his first career assist and just last week against the cross town rivals, Harrison netted a goal and grabbed an assist.

I mean, not every one is a professional scout or expert when it comes to knowing which player will succeed, but with Harrison, everyone’s an expert. Since starting for NYCFC, he has brought speed, precision passing, dribbling and awareness.

Something you don’t see a 19-year old do everyday.

He’s playing with three legendary players and at moment it looks like they’ve been together for 10 years. Harrison is very fluid, smooth and fits perfectly in Vieira’s formation with David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, and Frank Lampard.

Within his six games, Harrison has landed MLS’ Week 17 Player of the Week award, the only NYCFC player to earn that title was Villa back in Week 2 of the inaugural season. Harrison also earned the club’s Player of the Month award for June.

If there’s one thing to be sure about, it’s that Harrison has changed NYCFC and the way they play. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that in all of Harrison’s starts, despite the Real Salt Lake match, NYCFC has earned the maximum three points.

Harrison’s instant impact has earned him a starting job and has helped his club reach the summit of the Eastern Conference.