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Cameron Harper Ready for Homecoming in MLS Cup
When the New York Red Bulls won the Eastern Conference over Orlando City SC last weekend, the Player of the Match went to midfielder Cameron Harper.
Despite not scoring the game’s only goal, Harper was a major piece of the New York playmaking.
With four tackles, some coming in critical moments to disrupt Orlando, he played the full field while helping on offense.
“I got to keep (the Player of the Match) trophy. I actually have it right next to my, my bed on my, on my bedside piece. Did I sleep with it? Maybe,” Harper joked, speaking with NYCSN during his team’s MLS Cup training in Los Angeles.
“No, I didn’t, but I kept it very close.”
Harper has only taken some of the spotlight in the Red Bulls’ run to the MLS Cup Final. In the regular season, Harper scored five goals which has him as the fifth most productive player for the team.
At one point, he was in the top three thanks to a stretch of goals in consecutive games.
If you ask him, everyone has been stepping up during New York’s playoff run.
“Everyone’s stepping up in big ways in different moments in these playoffs,” said Harper.
“I think that’s what we’re gonna need… It’s guys you can count on; they’re going to make big moments, and everyone’s doing it. So it’s really important.”
The fact that the midfielder’s contributions have been less flashy may also play a part.
Making over 30 touches a game, Harper’s efficiency has come in areas like playmaking, defending, and being an easy target.
PHOTO: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images
In the Hudson River Derby Conference Semifinal, NYCFC saw two yellow cards in the first half for fouls committed on Harper. The game was driving through the Scottish attacker, and City tried their best to halt that advance. When it didn’t work, things got physical. It should also be said the fouls happened within less than ten minutes of each other.
That can get lost in the mix when both of RBNY’s goals in the 2-0 came from deadball spots, whether that be a goal kick or a corner kick. However, NYCFC was struggling to contain the attack of the lower seed even as they held more possession.
In the conference final in Florida, Harper showed once again. But this time, as a defender. The midfielder made multiple clean tackles against Orlando City that halted their attacks when needed. In a game where OCSC’s best chances came on fast breaks, halting attacks to avoid plays building up was huge.
Harper’s only questionable foul was an early one against Iván Angulo in the 14th minute, which could have seen him booked. That gave Orlando a dangerous free kick just outside the box. However, compare that with later on. A good ball forward from Orlando found Angulo running in behind on the left flank. He battled against Harper but gave away a foul on an attack.
It was smart plays like this, and winning over 50% of his ground duals (7/12), that got him Player of the Match.
Overall, Harper has been playing like someone with a chip on his shoulder.
If you ask him, the whole team has been doing that during the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
“The last few games, people have been counting us out. I’ve heard it in the previous interviews from JMI, (Edelman), Lewis, you know, they’re all saying it perfectly. People have been counting out Red Bull since game one of the playoffs,” said Harper.
“No one thought we’d beat Columbus, and then very few thought we’d beat New York City. And then once again, that whole narrative came over to Orlando, no one thought we’d beat Orlando.
“Now here we are, and we’re playing against, you know, the darlings of MLS: LA Galaxy, most trophies in MLS. It’s just like I said, another step for us to another hurdle for us to get by before we can cross the finish line, hopefully.”
PHOTO: John Perd
In a way, Harper has other chips in his shoulder this season. Earlier this year, he was re-signed by the Red Bulls to a new three-year contract with a club option for 2028. This has come even after struggles with the team to find the right place on the roster. With the winger position not often used by New York, Harper has tried his part at playing defender and striker over the last few seasons with little success.
However, as a midfielder, especially on the sides, he’s started to find consistency. However, injuries throughout the season have constantly derailed that momentum, adding more pressure to the 23-year-old’s plate.
There’s also the location factor for Saturday.
Many will be pointing towards the Red Bulls homegrown talent for this final. Daniel Edelman and John Tolkin have both taken centerstage for being Jersey boys and coming from RBNY’s academy. The Nealis brothers, Sean and Dylan, have had career seasons not far from their home in Long Island.
Harper is the opposite. For him, Saturday will be one of the closest games he has to home this season.
Born in Sacramento, California, Harper grew up in SoCal. His dual citizenship with Scotland meant he was always watching Celtic.
However, Home Depot Center (now Dignity Health) was another place where Harper got to see games up close.
“It’s pretty surreal, actually,” he admitted.
“One of my first professional games was here. I grew up, you know, coming to these games and it was Edson Buddle, Beckham, Donovan, Juninho, these guys. And now I’m playing here tomorrow in the final, which is very special.”
“Got a bunch of fans, a bunch of family and friends, about 25 people. It’s surreal.”
Just 30 miles from the stadium where Harper will be playing for that first MLS Cup is Pateadores SC.
The football academy whose alumni include the likes of former Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu, former USA international John Thorrington and former DC United center-back Steve Birnbaum.
It’s yet another piece of the puzzle for Saturday’s final. Harper will most likely start in the biggest game of his career.
He’ll be hunting for his first proper trophy as a professional player.
While most of the MLS will be watching the stars of LA or seeing what Emil Forsberg or Carlos Coronel pull off, Harper will try to continue being a major backbone against one of the league’s best teams.
“It was a big moment for me playing big in a big game (last week against Orlando),” Harper said about winning Player of the Match.
“I wanna get that award tomorrow as well, hopefully when we win.”
PHOTO: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images
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