|
Posted by
,
April 13, 2017 |
|
Twitter
@HarJournalist
|
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VANCOUVER, B.C. - Jordan Harvey all the time? Nope, not if you follow the U.S. Men's National Soccer team. The Whitecaps FC durable and consistent full-back has a grand total of zero caps with his national team. Quite a puzzling feat for a footballer who has put up consistent statistics in his 10-year MLS career. He's healthy, valuable, a constant professional, and a quality leader. Yet, he doesn't get a mention as a left-back for the United States.
On Friday night at B.C. Place Stadium, Harvey will earn his 247th MLS cap, against the visiting Seattle Sounders FC. He joined Whitecaps FC in July, 2011. Harvey has 155 caps with Vancouver and in that time he has scored 9 goals, and 8 assists. More importantly, his defensive responsibilities have been on point. He doesn't drift off, or get caught out of position. In a card happy MLS, Harvey has 23 yellows, and only 2 red cards during his time with Vancouver. He plays calm, cool, collected, and is positionally sound.
Why hasn't Jordan Harvey received a call up to a U.S. Soccer training camp or match?
"That's a question for the U.S. national team coaches throughout my career. I can't answer that one," said Harvey.
Has Coach Bruce Arena or his predecessor Jürgen Klinsmann, picked up a phone to talk to talk to Harvey about a plan or a way he can work his way to U.S. national team selection?
"No," said Harvey.
Vancouver Whitecaps Coach Carl Robinson has always backed his players to the hilt. He believes in what they can do, and how they help improve his football club. Harvey has brought a proud work ethic to each and every match he plays. Robinson would like to see him get some national team consideration, but he also understands why he hasn't yet.
"I think probably Jordan's age might slightly go against him," said Robinson. "Which is a little but unfair if you look at the ages of some of the guys in the U.S. squad. What I'll say about Jordan, he's been absolutely phenomenal, he's been a warrior. He's a leader, arguably the most consistent left-back in the league, but he's probably not the most flashiest. Sometimes people like flashy, I don't. I like consistent, and I think he's shown game in, and game out, week in, week out, season in, and season out that he should be. I'm sure he is. I'm sure Bruce (Arena) has had a look at all the full-back within the league. I'm sure he's on that list, but unfortunately that call hasn't come. He's got to keep plugging away."
The Caps gaffer makes a very interesting point. Yes, the 33 year-old Harvey isn't the flashiest player on the pitch. At this point in 2018 World Cup qualifying, do you really want a flashy, high risk and high reward full-back patrolling your flanks?
Probably not.
The Mission Vijo, California native, plays a strong two-way game. He gets up and down the pitch and covers his defensive duties while also contributing on offence. His stats don't leap off the match report page, and that's what you should want. Someone who plays 90 minutes without drawing criticism and finger-pointing from Joe public, and his gaffer.
Retired MLS veteran, MLS Cup winner, former U.S. Men's National team player, and current ESPN analyst, Herculez Gomez offered some fantastic praise for Harvey following Vancouver's 4-2 win over the LA Galaxy on April 1. Many people took notice, and it meant a lot to Harvey.
"I've played with him for a number of years," revealed Harvey. "We've been friends for a while now. It's nice to get recognition from people you look up to and admire."
What about Harvey's current teammates? Christian Dean was drafted third overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. He knows firsthand what qualities Harvey brings on and off the pitch. He couldn't be happier to have Harvey as a teammate, and friend.
"He's one of the older guys on our team so he brings experience," said Dean. "He's someone you can definitely look up to. He's so consistent, it's kind of crazy. He's a player that you aspire to be in this league."
The 24 year-old Dean, known as 'Grande Christian' has an idea why Harvey has yet to receive a call up from U.S. Soccer.
"I've actually wondered about that," said a curious Dean. "He plays well every game, every season. He gets assists, he'll score a couple of goals for us. I think the only reason he doesn't get that call up, were in Canada. I think he deserves it completely."
Does Jordan Harvey even want to play for U.S. Soccer after all these years on the outside?
"Of course."
The 2016 Whitecaps FC Player of the Year winner helped the U.S. qualify for the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He was the U-17 co-captain at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago. His club, fans, friends, family acknowledge and appreciate what he has accomplished. Perhaps, one day, the U.S. Men's National Team program will call him up for a cap.
|