VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected Langley, BC product Joel Harrison from the University of Michigan in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday.
Centre Back Joel Harrison
- Product of Langley, BC
- Developed in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System from 2015-16
- 19 starts and 28 appearances, scoring one goal in two seasons at Michigan
- Featured for the Canada U-18 national team
The 20-year old centre back developed in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System for two years, receiving the 2016 Whitecaps FC Youth Soccer Player, BMO RESP at the club’s year-end award ceremony. He was also called up to Whitecaps FC 2 during the 2016 USL season, making three appearances.
Over the past four years, Harrison has played college soccer at the University of Michigan, sitting out his freshman year due to injury before making 19 starts and 28 appearances in the following two seasons, scoring one goal. He was recognized with the 2019-20 Bates/Deskins Award, given to a junior student-athlete who has achieved great success academically and has made significant contributions athletically.
Currently a senior, Harrison is eligible to return to the Wolverines to resume his final season in Ann Arbor. Should he return to school, Whitecaps FC will retain his MLS rights.
At the international level, Harrison has played for Canada in his youth, joining the program initially through a U-15 camp before featuring for the U-18 side in El Salvador in 2016.
Joel Harrison
Position: Defender
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 165 pounds
Date of Birth: August 6, 1999 in Langley, BC
Hometown: Langley, BC
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
University: University of Michigan (NCAA Big Ten Conference ’18 to present)
High School: Burnaby Central Secondary School
Youth: Langley United, Surrey United SC
Instagram: @joelsharrison
Transaction: Whitecaps FC selected defender Joel Harrison 53rd overall (second round) in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft on January 21, 2021
