CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nathan Harriel is back on his old stomping grounds.

What You Need To Know

  • Nathan Harriel, a former East Lake High standout, is now is a rising star in the MLS

  • Harriel returned to Clearwater for spring training with the Philadelphia Union

  • During his senior season at East Lake, the Union invited Harriel to play in their youth academy

The former East Lake High standout is a rising MLS star and is back in Clearwater for spring training with the Philadelphia Union.

“It’s really special, you know. I grew up in Oldsmar and it’s right down the street from here,” Harriel said.

It’s where his soccer journey began.

“I played when I was 4 — it was for me to get out of the house because my mom said I ran around the house like crazy and I couldn’t be at the high school with my dad when he coached football there,” Harriel recounted with a smile.

During his senior season at East Lake, the Union invited Harriel to play in their youth academy. So he left home and moved to Philadelphia. 

Five years later, he’s turned into one of the best young defenders in all of Major League Soccer.

“He’s one of the best defenders that our league has, and he’s still very young too and he’s learning, getting better every day,” said Philadelphia Head Coach Jim Curtin.

Last season, was only Harriel’s second in the MLS and his first as a full-time starter, but he was crucial to the team’s quest to play in the MLS Cup Final. 

“This past year, winning the Eastern Conference was something that was unforgettable, you know," Harriel said. "Not every kid can say they won an Eastern Conference in their second year playing."

He’s made a lot of sacrifices to get to where he's at, which Harriel says makes it that much sweeter when he returns home for the preseason.

“Just so special to finally come back home, have my preseason down here, close to the family," he said. "I don’t get to do that often — I’m home only four weeks out of the whole year so, it’s very special and meaningful to me.”

Curtin said Harriel’s success is setting the stage for future soccer stars in Tampa Bay.

“The sky’s the limit for a kid that is so coachable, willing to learn, and like I said before, great inspiration for all Florida kids in this area where there is a heck of a lot of soccer talent and soccer continues to grow at a rate that I’d never see in my lifetime,” he said. “Nate’s a great pioneer and example for kids in Florida.”

From the Bay Area to the City of Brotherly Love, Harriel said he hopes to inspire the next generation as he prepares for an even bigger season.