Matt Polster on Ian Harkes: "He’s a Very Good Player And a Very Good Kid"
"I just think he brings another piece to our team where you can rely on a guy like that where you can plug him in, and he can get the job done for us."
Ian Harkes might be a new face to a large part of the New England Revolution but he is quite familiar with another fellow midfielder.
Matt Polster revealed that during USMNT January camp in 2018, Harkes and himself were roommates.
“Funnily enough we were actually roommates in a [United States Men’s National Team] January camp, [in 2018],” Polster said on Thursday. “We were over in Scotland together basically and now were in the same team here in the States. It’s interesting, he’s a very good player and a very good kid. He’s technically very good, has a high level of IQ, he understands the game. I just think he brings another piece to our team where you can rely on a guy like that where you can plug him in, and he can get the job done for us. He’s very capable to be here and I think he’ll lift the level of the group when he gets his moments. I don’t see anything but up for Ian.”
It is easy to compare Harkes and Polster. They both started out in MLS and ended up playing in Scotland. Polster played for the Chicago Fire prior to playing for Rangers and Harkes played for D.C. United prior to playing for Dundee United.
Since returning from Europe, Polster has become a foundational piece of New England’s roster. He has made over 100 appearances for the Revolution and has five goals and five assists. His defensive prowess has helped New England win games and they would have struggled without him.
If Harkes can be that type of player, Revolution fans should be ecstatic. He appears to be someone that will look to add depth to New England’s midfield. With Latif Blessing struggling, Harkes could take a starting XI spot from the MLS veteran.
Head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena will be a player that will boost the Revolution heading into the second half of the season.
“He’s a good, solid player,” Arena said. “He can play in a variety of positions in the center part of midfield. He’s a good athlete, he works hard, and he’s an honest player whose technically good. He’s smart, he’s going to help us.”
So when we see Polster and Harkes take the field together, they will already have some built-in chemistry. Maybe Harkes will even stay with the Polster’s as he finds a new home in the area for old time’s sake?