CHESTER, Pa. ā David Villa stole the headlines for New York City FC on Friday night with one of the most incredible goals youāll ever see.
But it was the steady play of teammate Jack Harrison that also proved critical as the second-year midfielder delivered the game-winning goal to lead NYCFC to their first road win of the season ā a 2-0 triumph over the Philadelphia Union.
Harrison now has a goal or an assist in three straight games as he continues to hold his own in NYCFCās star-studded attack.
āIt was good to get another goal,ā Harrison said. āI feel like Iāve definitely been better in front of goal the past couple of games. And it was nice to finally get one today.ā
Harrison credited a ābrilliant ballā from Ronald Matarrita on his 52nd-minute goal that broke a scoreless deadlock. But head coach Patrick Vieira made sure to say that Harrisonās first touch was also āexcellentā as he took Matarritaās through ball in stride and slipped it past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.
āIām really glad for him ā not just about the game tonight but all the games that weāve played so far,ā Vieira said. āHeās been working really hard. At D.C. [last week], he was working as a right back in a moment and never complained. When he scored today, I was really pleased for him.ā
Although he was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft and enjoyed some impressive moments in his rookie season last year, Harrison will naturally never get the same kind of fanfare as Villa or Andrea Pirlo. But those inside the NYCFC locker room insist the 20-year-old is as vital as anyone to the teamās attack.
āHeās a really talented player,ā NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson told MLSsoccer.com. āHeās young, heās got good legs, heās very witty, good on the ball. We look to Jack to really create for us. In the system we play, heās very important.ā
It helps, too, when you have a magician like Villa that can teach you new tricks and aid in your progression.
āHeās always looking to help others out,ā Harrison said. āJust watching him, you learn so much. I feel like Iāve done that already last year, and Iām hoping to keep improving.ā
Just donāt expect Harrison to mimic Villa and attempt to score from 50 yards out any time soon.
āNo, Iāve never tried that,ā Harrison said with a laugh, calling Villaās golazo an āincredibleā moment. āThatās what the world-class players do.ā