CHESTER, Pa. — When Jordan Harvey sits down with a cold beverage and tunes in to Sunday night’s MLS Cup (8:30 pm ET, ESPN/Galavision/TSN2), he’ll see a familiar team on the pitch. But he won’t see too many familiar faces.
Despite playing for the Colorado Rapids the first four seasons of his career, Harvey doesn’t feel much of a connection anymore to the squad that will take on FC Dallas in the league championship this weekend.
“You know, I’ll be watching as a fan,” Harvey said from his hometown of Mission Viejo, Calif. “Obviously it will be a little strange to see them in the MLS Cup, having been with them for so many years. But it’s a completely different team than the one I was on.”
Harvey was one of the players who wasn’t a part of Colorado’s future plans as he was left unprotected for the 2009 expansion draft, where he was plucked by the Union. That decision by the Rapids could be viewed as a surprising one, considering the fullback led the team in minutes played in ’09. But the California native says he doesn’t even feel even a twinge of bitterness or regret – not even as he prepares to watch his old team vie for a title.
“I’m happy where I am,” Harvey said. “[Philadelphia] embraced our team so much this year. It’s already home to me. I don’t forget about the times I had in Colorado – the good times and the bad times – but Philly is my new home.”
And yet Harvey knows from experience that your home can change in an instant. So as another expansion draft looms, all he can do is hope that this time he’ll be able to find his name on the protected list.
WATCH: Union's Le Toux, Mwanga call fans to thank them
“I played as many minutes this year as I did last year, and it didn’t turn out great last year in terms of being protected,” said Harvey, who for the second straight season led his team in minutes played (2,620). “So, you never know.”
Whether his name is on a list is not something he can concern himself with. For now, Harvey is just trying to stay in shape and enjoy Southern California. His daily routine involves going to a yoga class in the morning to work on his flexibility, running on the beach, lifting, relaxing with family and friends and avoiding the temptation of In-N-Out Burger.
“I’m trying to eat healthy,” he said. “Within the first two weeks I went and had one nice, big burger. Trust me, I have bad eating habits. I definitely had to get one in and satisfy my craving.”
Think you know the game? Test your powers of prediction with MLSsoccer.com's new fantasy game,Pro Soccer Picks. Play NOW!
