The MLS Rookie of the Year will be announced on Thursday and Jack Harrison is one of the three starlets shortlisted.
Harrison, who has emerged as a key contributor in his breakthrough season at Yankee Stadium, is proud to be up for the title alongside Keegan Rosenberry of Philadelphia Union and Jordan Morris of Seattle Sounders.
The 19-year old English winger shrugged off the injury which hampered his progress in the early months of the 2016 campaign to record seven assists and four goals.
Jack told NYCFC.com: “It’s such an honor to be nominated alongside Keegan and Jordan for the award – those guys have been pushing really hard all year and it’s just great to be recognized with them.
“Whoever wins it, it’s been a great year for me to break through and to be playing so regularly.
“It was a tough start to the year with the injury but I knew I just had to be patient, to work hard and to take my opportunity when it came my way.
“I feel so fortunate to play alongside such great professionals for this great club and I already can’t wait for next year to get going again.”
It’s been a memorable season for Jack in so many ways as he made his professional debut for NYCFC and earned this nomination.
There are moments which will live with the Bolton-born player for a lifetime but his first senior goal is undoubtedly the one which stands out above the rest.
Speaking of his strike against Real Salt Lake, Jack recalls: “It was maybe a little bit lucky as it took a deflection but the pure exhilaration of scoring my first goal and hearing the fans cheering after was amazing – pure adrenaline. It will stay with me forever.”
That said, his AT&T Goal of the Season nominee against Montreal also understandably holds a special place in Jack’s heart.
Harrison remembers: “It was a great switch from Tommy – the full-back Ambroise Oyongo had been giving me a tough game and not giving me much so I decided to take him on. Thankfully, I got past him and then managed to curl it in.”
Vote Jack for AT&T Goal of the Year Below
Even though NYCFC’s season came to an end on Sunday, Jack is still proud of what the team achieved in just its second year.
Harrison hopes that the style adopted by the squad and the togetherness displayed in games has gone some way towards repaying the supporters for their incredible support.
“It’s a great achievement to reach the Playoffs in our second season as an expansion team, even though we’re disappointed to lose the match the way we did, we can take perspective and be proud of what we’ve done over the whole season,” he said.
“The atmosphere was amazing on Sunday and while we’re disappointed at the moment, the fans have been brilliant all season long and we’ve tried to repay them with performances on the pitch.”
Jack also had special words for his Head Coach, Patrick Vieira, who the teenager credits is grateful to for giving him his start.
He added: “Patrick has given me everything you could ask for from a coach ever since the draft, he’s shown so much faith in me – he couldn’t have been any better for my career.
“Now I’m just excited to see where it’s all going to go, starting next year.”
