Football
ESPN staff 8y

Jack Harrison sidelined for New York City FC with pelvic injury

New York City FC's Jack Harrison, the first pick in Major League Soccer's 2016 SuperDraft, is being held out of preseason training due to a pelvic injury.

NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira told the club's website that both he and Harrison were disappointed, but that the team wouldn't rush the 19-year-old back to action.

"Of course we're disappointed for Jack as we know how desperate he is to begin training with his new teammates," Vieira told the club's website. "But he is young and we'll put together a treatment plan that will see him return to training fitter and stronger than ever.

"We were aware he had a problem, but having monitored and assessed the injury further since he joined us, we've found that it will take him longer to return to full fitness than we first anticipated.

Vieira also said that Harrison is adapting to life at the club and with his teammates quickly and remains a big part of what the team plans to do in 2016, after he has the chance to fully recover from the injury.

"Jack is with us in Florida and it's great to have him with the team," Vieira said. "At the moment he's enjoying spending time with his new teammates and has fitted really well into the group.

"The important thing is to be patient and treat the injury properly, there is no reason to rush. When he comes back, we want him to feel ready to express and show the talent we know he has. He is a prospect for the future and is going to have a massive part to play in this season for us."

Harrison, who was born in England and played college soccer at Wake Forest University, was quick to thank the club for all its support as he continues to acclimate to his new team and return to full fitness.

He said: "I'm really grateful to have been given the opportunity to play for New York City FC and I want to thank all the NYCFC fans that have welcomed me to the club since I joined, they have been amazing to me.

"Injuries happen in football and now I'm focused on working hard and am looking forward to getting back to the training pitch as soon as I can," he concluded."

NYCFC play its first preseason match on Jan. 31 against Florida Gulf Coast University, where the team are training ahead of the start of the MLS regular season on Sunday, March 6.

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