CHESTER, Pa.— Hailing from Yukon, Oklahoma, just outside Oklahoma City, a versatile defender/midfielder made the move to Philadelphia after playing for ECNL club DKSC in North Texas. Jett Harrison, one of the newest members of the Philadelphia Union Academy’s U-18s, was a part of the Dallas Cup winning squad and made his professional debut for Union II on June 28 against Red Bull II. Committed to University of North Carolina, the rising senior has shown a lot of growth and promise since arriving in Philadelphia.
Making his Union debut at the Snow Bowl in February, he and the U-18s won the inaugural tournament. We had asked Coach Ryan Richter, who was still head of Union II at the time, about Jett following the Snow Bowl as we were aware he was doing some training with Union II. He had stressed that Jett had areas to develop and they did not want to rush his development, but was very positive.
“I really like—he’s got a great personality. He’s the kind of kid who wants to get better, so that’s a great starting point,” Richter said. “But I think, you know, at some point, depending on how how he does, depending on how he develops, how he plays with the 18s, how he trains with us, you know that will determine the kind of opportunities that that come to him.”
Jett went on to be an important contributor to the U-18s, including playing in the Dallas Cup, which the Union won in dramatic fashion. Both the semifinal and final were decided by a penalty shootout, and he made both his shots to help the team to victory along with strong play on the field. He finished out the academy season with the 18s, where their season ended in the MLS Next Cup playoffs. He then joined Union II along with other academy amateurs as summer was underway.
After making the Union II bench for the first time against NYCFC II on June 14 (but was an unused substitute), I asked Union II interim head coach Chris Harmon, who was also Jett’s U-18 coach, what he thought of Jett’s progress and what he has to offer to the squad.
“Yeah, Jett has a lot of things to bring,” Harmon said. “Obviously, his athleticism and his versatility—can play in a lot of different positions. See him maybe as a fullback or as a six, can even play a bit higher as a 10. So his versatility, as he continues to get acclimated to the group, yeah, I have no doubt that opportunities will come, but right now I would say he’s doing a really good job of competing every day and taking in the information, and I think making the jump from the 18s to the second team has been really seamless for him. And now, yeah, we just have to make sure that we keep pushing.”
It did not take long for Jett to get that first opportunity. Coming off the bench in the 62nd minute against Red Bull II on June 28, he played right back in his professional debut for Union II. Though the match ended in a 5-0 loss, it was a big, important step for the 17 year old.
Harmon said afterward of the debut of both Jett and Sammy Gallego, “Really happy for them, anytime these guys make a debut, it’s a win for the Academy. Really happy with these guys, and it wasn’t just, you know, a snap decision. It’s based on the quality of work over the whole fall season. So really happy for them. I thought when they first came in, the first 10 minutes we still had the better of the play, you know, and then, like I said, we kind of, we hit a rough patch there in about the 70th minute, and they had to hang on, but for them to feel those types of games on the road is really great for their development.”
I spoke with Jett at training on Wednesday about his soccer journey that led to his recent debut (full audio at the end):
Jillian Almoney: So Jett, just first of all, from Oklahoma, right? So, just talk about your background growing up there, and just what was your experience like with the teams you played with there, and how did you get into soccer?
Jett Harrison: Well, I got into soccer because my mom wanted to put me into sports, and then I just loved playing soccer from then. So I played in Oklahoma when I was young till probably like nine years old, and then I started driving to Texas three and a half hours there, three and a half hours back, five times a week for FC Dallas, and then I ended up switching teams and staying there for eight years, and then I eventually got a trial here and moved to play with Union II, and U-18s.
Jillian: Can you share just how that move here came about, and what that process was like for you?
Jett: Well, I was at an ECNL club, so I was looking to go to the next level, and after my parents did some research, we came to the decision that Philly would be the best for me because of the pathway from the younger teams up to the first team. I just felt like this would be the best environment to get the most out of myself, and that’s why I’m here right now.
Jillian: And how has that transition been moving out here for you?
Jett: Stuff like that doesn’t really bother me, so it’s been really simple.
Jillian: And then, you know, you come here, I saw you play in the Snow Bowl, that was great, and then you have big moments with the Dallas Cup, taking PKs, and just that whole experience. Can you talk about what that Dallas Cup experience was like for you?
Jett: Dallas Cup was great, two-time winner (Note: He won in 2025 with his former club, DKSC). It was great, it was a good experience. I came in, I thought I made a difference, got a… we’ll count it as an assist, and then scored both my pens, so it was just good experience winning again.
Jillian: Do you think that experience having won it last year definitely helped you with it this year?
Jett: Yeah, I mean played in the stadium already once, came in the second time.
Jillian: Any other special memories from the 18s this year for you?
Jett: Snow Bowl was fun, that was a great tournament. Snow Bowl, and of course winning Dallas Cup and all that. Those were probably the best two memories.
Jillian: And then you make your pro debut on Sunday. What did it mean to you to step on the field there and make that pro debut?
Jett: I mean, it felt great. It was just like my kid self coming out again and just having fun playing, even though the result wasn’t what we wanted. I still had a really fun time playing, and finally being able to say that I’ve somewhat gotten to the next level, but always going to push for more and make it even farther.
Jillian: How has the team’s response been at training since that match? And how’s the squad feeling going into New England this weekend?
Jett: Well, came back, worked our asses off, shake off the result, and then we’re gonna go into the next game and win it- try our best to win it.
Jillian: And for you personally, what are your goals moving forward?
Jett: My goal is just to keep on growing as a player and keep on climbing up, playing in more games, eventually starting, and then eventually playing for the first team. Those are my goals.
So far, Jett has been making great progress toward those goals, and will be one to watch as he moves forward with Union II and with the Academy.
Main article photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union II
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