Each week, TopDrawerSoccer takes a dive into some of the top performances from young domestic players around the USL Championship and League One.
For the aspiring men’s professional soccer player, the biggest tension the best teenagers face is pursuing a pro opportunity or head off to college.
Wilson Harris, a native of California that played for a few MLS academies, originally had committed to play at Louisville with the class of 2018.
Instead, Harris, who had settled with the Sporting Kansas City Academy after playing for the Sounders and Real So Cal, eventually opted for a USL deal with SKC in May 2019.
Since making that decision, he’s logged more than 2,000 minutes in professional soccer. In the 55th minute of a 2-1 road win against FC Tulsa, Harris tallied his 20th goal in the USL Championship, becoming the youngest player ever to hit that mark in the league.
His goal is an embodiment of what Harris does well – getting into the right spot at the right time, and making the most of his chance. He anticipated the cross from Dillon Serna, prodding home what turned into the game-winning goal by beating the defender to the ball.
Looking at his ceiling, it’s difficult to watch his tape and know if he can make it in MLS, particularly for Sporting KC. Part of that is the fact that the MLS side went out and splashed the cash for Alan Pulido during the offseason. But the reps that Harris is picking up now is a marked contrast from playing in college soccer. Facing bigger, faster strong center backs have set the bar for him. Can he keep pushing and max out his potential?
.@SportingKCII jumps back in front!#TULvSKC | https://t.co/wcWigH5vfK pic.twitter.com/TBj1LGGzy1
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 30, 2020
