It comes as no surprise to Met Oval that our former player, Justin Haak, has signed a Homegrown deal with NYCFC. As reported in Husdon River Blue, an SB Nation site, back in February, 2018, it almost seemed inevitable.
Justin is playing with the NYCFC U19 academy, which he helped win the 2018 US Soccer Development Academy championship in that age group. NYCFC beat LA Galaxy in the final and Haak provided a man of the match performance.
Haak has turned heads at NYCFC with his tremendous performances for their academy team and also for the US Youth National Team where he was on the U18 squad that won the prestigious 2018 Vaclav Jezek Youth Tournament title in the Czech Republic back in August.
Haak, a Brooklyn native, even received a write up on mlssoccer.com for his performance in a preseason match in Mexico with the first team.
As discussed in the previously mentioned article in Hudson River Blue, Met Oval Sporting Director Jeffrey Saunders is quoted, “He [Haak] would be just as effective in a U-19 academy game as I think he would be in an MLS game. I think you will get the same performance, same maturity level.”
Congratulations to Justin Haak on his next step on his path to pro journey. Met Oval is proud to have played a part.