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November 9, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Jordan Harvey All The Time, well not so fast. Whitecaps FC's all-time leader in appearances and minutes played might not be back next season. Harvey faces an off-season with his future in Vancouver as cloudy as the weather. He's worked hard to earn himself MLS free agency. Harvey admits that he doesn't know what will come next for him.
"Up in the air, I'm at the end of my contract," Harvey said, in his year-end media availability on Tuesday. "We'll see what happens. We're in talks right now, so the balls in their court."
June 18, 2011 was Harvey's first match with the Vancouver. He earned his 200th appearance with the club on Thursday in the second leg of the western conference semifinal against Seattle. In his 179 MLS regular season appearances with Vancouver, he has scored 10 goals, and added 9 assists.
Harvey has embraced Vancouver, and become a leader on and off the pitch. The 2016 Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year is often involved in the community events, and arguably one of the most recognizable Vancouver Whitecaps FC players in club history.
With Marcel de Jong coming on in the second half of the season, and earning starts in all three Vancouver playoff matches, Harvey found himself on the substitutes bench. An unfamiliar place for the MLS veteran. He started 28 matches for Vancouver in 2017, so that begs the question, if he does return, would he be comfortable in a back up role?
"That'll be something that I'm going to have to figure out," Harvey said. "I played 30 plus games this year. It's hard to fathom that, to be honest. That'll be involved in the discussions as well."
Whitecaps FC goalkeeper, David Ousted saw the writing on the wall. He was asked to take a substantial pay cut in June. As for whether, Jordan Harvey would be willing to take a trim off his 2017 salary of $180,000. He isn't quite sure if that's the course to take.
"To be honest, no numbers have been discussed yet," revealed Harvey. "That'll be something in the next few weeks that'll kind of unfold. You guys will know, when I do."
A native of Mission Viejo, California, Harvey's options could include 2018 MLS expansion side, Los Angeles FC. You also have to factor in the LA Galaxy who are now in the market for a full-back after the retirement of Robbie Rogers. Whatever Harvey, and his family do decide, they have loved every minute of living in Vancouver.
"Southern California is home," Harvey said. "I've been here for so many years. I do consider this a second home. I'm happy here, my family is happy here. Like I've kind of preached all a long, it's a second home, and we love it here. All those factors going in to a decision. Ultimately, and hopefully, that will be made soon."
One thing is for certain, Harvey is not ready to put in his papers, and pack it in. He still feels he can contribute and help a team. Taking a reduced role, and possibly taking on more of a player, and coaching title, like Pa-Modou Kah previously did with Whitecaps FC does not appeal to him. Harvey wants to show that he can still be a serviceable player.
"I'm 33 years-old, but I feel like I've got a couple more quality years left in me," Harvey said. "That hasn't crossed my mind yet. Maybe when I'm Pa's age (laughs)... give me a few more years, and then we'll talk about."
Harvey has always been a positive example for Vancouver's young players. He's an exemplary human, that has had a huge influence on the pitch, but also in the locker room, and around the city. You would be hard pressed to find a footballer with the character, and respect that Jordan Harvey has. It's never easy to replace that. As it so often does, it will come down to fine lines, as well as dollars and cents.
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