Philadelphia Union: With each clean sheet, Jack Elliott's star rises

With the impressive performances by the Philadelphia Union of late, a star is being born in central defense.

The Philadelphia Union have kept four straight clean sheets. This is a sentence that I never expected to write when the Philadelphia Union were hemorrhaging goals at a Chivas USA rate. Credit must be given to Jim Curtin for changing the personnel along the back line and causing them to play a more compact game.

One of the biggest surprises in Curtin’s changes has been the insertion of Jack Elliott as the right center back. Occupying a role that was meant for Joshua Yaro, Elliott has stepped in looking well beyond his years.

Hailing from London, it’s a “lucky coincidence” that Elliott’s journey led to the United States. He was playing for Old Wilsonians Football Club at home when a scout for West Virginia University discovered him. Elliott took the offer playing four years for the Mountaineers making appearances in the midfield and along the backline.

His success in college led to Elliott being drafted in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Union. While it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, Elliott impressed the coaching staff in the preseason, leading to his debut performance. When Richie Marquez couldn’t continue against DC United, Elliott stepped in and didn’t miss a beat.

“If I’m in the clear I look to put it in an area where someone can run onto it or can play with it.” – Jack Elliott on his passing style

Elliott hasn’t looked back from there and has established himself as a key member of the Philadelphia Union defense. Elliott may not be physically imposing on the back line but playing next to Oguchi Onyewu, he doesn’t have to be. Elliott is usually in a proper position to break up plays as shown by his high numbers of interceptions and blocked shots. He plays the ball more than the man on defense, leading to good positional awareness.

Some of these defensive tendencies stem from the fact that Elliott played defensive midfield growing up and in college. We had a chance to discuss how that transition helped him.

"“As a youngster and growing up, I played in midfield a lot. It obviously helps to be able to pick out a pass and read the game a little easier.”, Elliott said, “When you go back to center back, you have a lot more time on the ball. You can pick out passes a little easier but it definitely improves your decision making.”"

The passing skills are certainly evident when Elliott is on the ball. He has the intent to play progressive forward passes unlike that of most center backs in MLS. Because of that, while Elliott may not have the stellar pass accuracy numbers of most center backs, he does spark the attack more than most.

Philadelphia Union: With each clean sheet, Jack Elliott’s star rises

By Chuck Booth | May 19, 2017

With the impressive performances by the Philadelphia Union of late, a star is being born in central defense.