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Posted by
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June 6, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Atlanta United FC midfielder Harrison Heath has quite the football footprint for someone in his third MLS season, with his second MLS club. Heath, born in Newcastle, England is the son of famous Manager, Adrian Heath, currently guiding MLS expansion side, Minnesota United FC. Harrison and Adrian were both part of Orlando City SC last season. Adrian coached Orlando when they debut in MLS in 2015. He was sacked on July 6, 2016, and Harrison also departed Orlando last year. On December 11, 2016, he was traded to expansion club Atlanta United FC.
Harrison Heath was surprised by the move to Atlanta following a positive tenure with Orlando. Moving to a new organization that was focused on making a big splash into MLS, quickly helped him transition to a new city, and a new club.
"It was the day after I had spoken to Jason (Kries) and his staff," said Heath. "I had come to terms with the fact that they were probably not going to want to use me for next year. Obviously it was a difficult time for me, because I had been in Orlando for four-years, and dedicated a lot to the club. I really enjoyed my time there, but then to get that call so shortly after bad news. It changed my whole mood towards the whole situation. I was super excited to get here, and meet everyone. I quickly changed everything negative into a positive."
Heath and his current partner, Canada's Soccer bronze medalist, Kaylyn Kyle both faced the news that playing football in Orlando was closing, and a new chapter was about to begin in Atlanta. Harrison was surprised that Kyle was not brought back by NWSL club, Orlando Pride. The Canada Soccer Association decided not to allocate her for this season, and subsequently she was not retained by Orlando via an international roster spot.
"I think it was for me personally," said Heath, of being surprised by Kyle's departure from Orlando. "I can't speak on behalf of Kaylyn, but for me it was. I watched the games, and I believed that she was a big part of that team. I know that months before that decision got made she was thinking of maybe calling it a day. I think she's achieved so much in her career, and had so much to be proud of, that she was ready for the next step. Things were coming to an end with the national team. I think she was ready for something different."
In the offseason for both MLS and NWSL, player movement is always abound. Harrison Heath and Kaylyn Kyle looked to make a new future for themselves in Georgia. They both leaned on each other for support. They decided they would move to Atlanta, and focus on the positive aspect of a new environment that was eager to build a strong football base.
"We both kind of got really bad news at the same time," admitted Heath. "To have each other when we were going through that difficult time was obviously a massive help. Personally for me, and I'm sure I was a help for her. I asked her if she would want to come with me, she did and we've had a great time so far. We hope to continue having a really good life in Atlanta."
The 21 year-old, Heath is still looking to crack the Atlanta United FC starting lineup. It can be quite tough for any footballer who isn't in the gaffer's lineup earning consistent minutes. Heath made his first appearance with Atlanta when he came off the bench in a 2-2 draw away to Toronto FC on April 8. He has been an unused substitute for much of the season, but he isn't about to let that get him down. He's no 'Debbie Downer'.
It can be quite easy for a young footballer to walk around frustrated over playing time with a frown on his face. Harrison Heath is not that kind of footballer. He knows that there are probably millions of footballers who would love to be in his boots with an MLS contract playing in a top flight. Instead, he's about working hard, offering encouragement, and helping the team. He has a winning attitude through, and through.
"That's part of being a footballer," said Heath about his lack of playing time. "I'll be the first one to admit, two or three years ago, I probably wasn't. I probably let if affect me, and I probably let people see that I was angry, and I'm sure I still have days now where I'm not as lively, and bubbly as I am most of the time. That's part of growing up and realizing there's a bigger picture. Ultimately the team is more important than one player. No matter what, whether I'm in the team, on the bench, I'm starting, I want the team to win. If I can be a part of that and help, fantastic. If I can help, even if it's in the stands, I'll do that to the best of my ability."
Manager Tata Martino has shown that Atlanta United FC have all the pieces to be a high scoring MLS team. They push the pace, play with precision, and have the opposition on their back heels. Heath respects the gaffer's decision and knows his time will come.
"I'll keep being the person I am everyday, and try and be friendly with everyone and get along with everyone. I'm a little bit of a joker here and there. I think they appreciate the fact that no matter what his decision is in terms of who's playing, and who is in the squad. It's not going to change my mood towards him (Coach Tata Martino), or the team. At the end of the day, that's what football is. That's what the challenge of being a footballer is. You have to be able to put that behind you and keep working, and try and figure out a way to get yourself in the team," said Heath.
While with Orlando City SC, Heath was trying to find his way into the lineup. Adrian Heath was at the helm, and coaching a team with his son on it. Now you might be thinking, that would result in optimum playing time for the younger Heath... nope.
In 2015, Heath made three appearances for the then expansion club. Last season, Heath earned another three appearances. He made the starting lineup on each of those occasions, but was yet to make a dent into a lineup that featured an overload at midfield.
Having your father as manager brings both the good, and the bad. Heath was given some stick from his fellow Orlando City SC teammates. On more than one occasion, handbags were shown during a couple of training sessions. Heath now relishes his opportunity with Atlanta United FC where he knows he's the only one with the Heath surname.
"(The) father, son aspect of playing," said Heath. "It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination. A lot of people see it from the outside, and think that it would be easier. I can guarantee that it's not, especially with my dad and the way he is, it wasn't easy for me at all. To get away from that and have it just me own my own trying to prove who I am as a player is definitely a breath of fresh air."
Atlanta are off to a 5-5-3 record. They started out of the gate like gangbusters scoring goals for fun. Most recently, they traveled cross continent and fell 3-1 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the weekend. Atlanta will visit the midwest on Saturday to battle the Chicago Fire. How they plan to get to Chicago... well that's an interesting story.
MLS teams don't automatically take charters when flying to and from matches. Each MLS team is permitted four charter flights a season. Atlanta used a charter flight when they travelled to and from Vancouver. Under MLS rules, whether that counts as one charter trip or two, who actually knows. If you have a league with MLS teams in two countries, and four separate time zones, charter flights should be more regularly available.
Professional athletes shouldn't be waiting in airports for connecting flights, and at who knows what hours. If MLS wants to be known as top football league, it's a no brainer that teams be allowed more charter flights. The benefits are clearly visible. Harrison Heath is a strong proponent of better traveling situations for all MLS teams.
"I think it makes a massive difference to everything in terms of the first class charters," revealed Heath. "We've just taken a beautiful plane here. Everyone's got their own seats, reclining chairs, everything, and it makes a huge difference. If you look at every other sport in America, I would say that every major league team has their own first class charter like that. Definitely, MLS should be striving towards that. I think stuff like that, that maybe people think isn't as important, it is. It would change the aspect, and the view of MLS around the rest of the world, and to players. This county is probably harder than any other league in terms of how big the country is, and how far you have to fly. Taking connection flights when your knees are crammed up, doesn't help anybody. These little parts of the league need to be addressed. Everything is getting better, don't get me wrong. When I first moved here, the league's grown leaps and bounds, but I think it still has quite a long way in that aspect to be taken as serious as some other leagues, and other sports."
Harrison Heath might not be a household MLS player. He might actually be known more because of his famous father, but that shouldn't be the case. All organizations strive to bring in young, enthusiastic, and exciting footballers. Heath is certainly someone to watch. He has his head on his shoulders and really gets the big picture in life and football. That's not always the case with young athletes, but Heath is an exception.
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