There's quite a bit of New York City FC in the headlines as we head into the international break.
Jack Harrison has gone across the pond to spend some time with England's U-21 squad, while Patrick Vieira says he's quite happy staying on this side of the pond. Elsewhere, MLSsoccer.com takes a look at the trade that landed NYCFC their lights-out goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
The English FA are quite fond of young Harrison, so much so that they let him tell his own story in a feature on their website. So far, that story is a happy one.
"I’ve settled in quickly and the other guys have welcomed me really well," Jack told the FA. "They’ve all been asking so many questions about New York, so it’s nice to know that they observe and know the MLS. It’s good and they seem intrigued about how life is over there and my story."
It's not just the prospect of playing for his country that has Jack feeling good. He's back home after a long season, and that means he's got plenty of family to see and catching up to do.
"I’m looking forward to the games this week too, especially the first one with Scotland and I’m just excited to be a part of it all," says Jack.
"I think I’ve going to have quite a lot of my family coming to the game, all of my dad’s side of the family, my uncle and my cousins too, so I’m hoping to find a way to get them enough tickets for them all."
Elsewhere, Sky Sports tried their hand at answering the question of what makes NYCFC's "Golden Boy" tick.
"At the age of just 20-years-old, the winger has already played with and against some of the best players in the world - Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Frank Lampard and Kaka to name a few," writes Charlotte Marsh.
That's a pretty good way to sum things up, but that's not everything you should know.
So, Charlotte adds: "Harrison has been congratulated on social media by former England international Lampard and World Cup winner Villa, with manager Vieira adding: 'It's really good news for Jack, it's really good news for the football club and of course I'm really pleased for him because he's improved a lot and he loves the game.'"
Those are some big names singing his praises.
But that's not all on the Jack Harrison front. The Guardian goes so far as to say Jack's call-up is 'The Feelgood Story US Soccer Needs'.
Bob Williams explains: "After leaving the Manchester United academy – where he was a contemporary of Marcus Rashford – aged just 14, Harrison spent his formative years at the prestigious Berkshire School in Massachusetts and Wake Forest University. He may have been born and raised in England but Harrison was made in America."
The man responsible for guiding Jack through his first two professional seasons, Patrick Vieira, is also in the headlines. Unlike Jack, he's not making news because of where he's going, but where he's staying.
Ian Holyman notes for ESPN FC that Vieira had contact with Ligue 1 side Saint Etienne a few months ago, but that he knew it wasn't time to go.
Vieira says: "The timing wasn't good. I didn't ask to leave New York City, because I'm very happy where I am.
"I have acquired a lot of experience during my two seasons in New York," he said. "I feel ready to take up challenges. But today, I'm lucky to have a squad that enables me to flourish. I don't have a reason to go looking for something else."
Last year, Sean Johnson did have a reason to go looking for something else, and what he found was new life in NYC. Sam Stejskal sums up Sean's career resurgence in the big apple.
"The on-again, off-again US international has had a bit of a career renaissance with NYCFC," he writes, "giving them a sense of security in net that they didn’t have in either of their first two seasons. He’s third in the league with a 70.8 save percentage, and has been excellent value considering the relatively low price NYCFC paid for him."
Excellent value? He's priceless.
Elsewhere stateside, Minnesota United got the win over Atlanta United Tuesday night in an expansion club showdown. The result puts NYCFC's destiny in their own hands as they hunt for a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Local blog Hudson River Blue puts in perspective just how important that is.
"With Minnesota mathematically eliminated from playoff contention in the Western Conference, NYCFC ends up being the key beneficiary of tonight’s last-gasp heroics," notes HRB. "If Atlanta had held the lead, they would have supplanted New York City in second place due to a large advantage in goal differential. Even a draw would have left the league standings too close for comfort.
"Instead, the Blues can guarantee themselves the #2 spot — and the first round playoff bye that comes with it — simply by taking four points from their final two games: away at New England and home to Columbus."
That looks pretty good from where we're standing. Don't forget, you can snag your tickets to that home match against Columbus at Yankee Stadium right below this sentence.
