ORLANDO. Fla. -- While most of the attention this week in Orlando has been on the surprising exit of head coach Adrian Heath, it was another Heath who found himself in the spotlight in Friday night’s home game with Houston.
Harrison Heath was given a rare start by interim head coach Bobby Murphy, and he proved a pillar of reliability for his team in the 0-0 draw, drawing fulsome praise from his stand-in boss and showing a rare maturity under difficult circumstances.
Afterwards he admitted it had been a taxing and hugely emotional few days, as he revealed he was the first person his father called after getting the news that he and the club would be parting company.
“Yes, it has been a difficult situation,” Harrison said. “I was the first person dad called as soon as he got out of his meeting with [team president] Phil [Rawlins], and he told me, ‘Look Harrison, they have decided to go in a different direction, and it’s time for you to kick on with your own career, which is what you deserve.’
“Me and my dad are very close – we have always been. Over the last couple of years it has been a different relationship as player and coach, but family is always family and, after something like this you always resort to being very close again.”
The younger Heath had made just one previous appearance this season, at New York City in May, but Murphy insisted he had no hesitation in calling Harrison into the lineup against the Dynamo, with skipper Kaká out injured. Darwin Ceren was pushed into a more attacking role, and Heath partnered Cristian Higuita in defensive midfield.
“Playing Harrison had nothing to do with the situation this week,” Murphy insisted. “It was a home game and he is one of our better passers, and he suited the lineup. I thought he put in a very honest effort. He gave us some quality in there, and, to his credit, he ran his legs off. I would have no hesitation in putting him in there again.”
Murphy also admitted it had been a tough decision, as his relationship with Harrison goes back to the family’s days in Austin, Texas, when Murphy was Adrian’s right-hand man and their kids were firm friends.
“We have had a good relationship going back many years,” Murphy added. “It has been the hardest thing for me in this situation. My relationship with Harrison is not something you take lightly as we have often told each other we love each other, and I was very proud of him tonight.”
For Harrison Heath, the feeling was mutual, and he was immensely appreciative to be given the chance to prove himself on the field so soon after the family upheaval.
“Of course it helps that I have a good relationship with Bobby,” the 20-year-old Harrison said. “I have known him for a long time and he is almost like a second dad to me. I am grateful that he put his trust in me tonight. It was a big statement from him and I hope I repaid his faith in me.”
Heath also shed some light on the immediate aftermath of the decision that has shocked many City fans and deeply affected two families.
“The first few hours after it happened, I was struggling a little bit,” Harrison confessed. “Seeing my dad, and seeing my mom so upset, it was tough. But I think I have dealt with it alright. I knew this day would come, that I would have to deal with something like this, so in some ways I was prepared.
“Dad is obviously upset but he has had a few days to get his head around it and he is a strong personality. He will be alright and he will get another job and he will move on. In fact, I don’t think there will be a shortage of job offers.”
