He has been called a “controlling” midfielder, and, watching him on the pitch, it is clear that the label fits Haris Medunjanin. The Bosnian holding midfielder sits at the center of everything Philadelphia Union do as they build up, move teams around, and attack with speed. He controls the speed and direction of play by getting on the ball early and playing long passes to stretch the size of the pitch and create isolation plays for Philadelphia’s darting, tricky wingers. He also deploys an ever-surprising set of deceptive feints to eliminate defenders and create his own space.
But there is another dimension to Medunjanin’s controlling role, one that is nearer to orchestra conductor than soccer player. Spend any time watching the tall, gliding midfielder and you will notice his arms: They are always out from his sides, waving, directing, pointing, and gesturing. Sitting in front of a young defense, Medunjanin will point to where the ball should go next, then shift his sails and slip over to provide support. After a mistake, the arms will wave in the air, excoriating a young player at first, but then imparting the bigger lesson: Play where I point, because that’s how this team plays. The arms also rise for referees, indicating the calls they missed prior to the one just made that, if body language is believed, he disagrees with vociferously.
So much of what Medunjanin does is about controlling the match as it unfolds. He’s a veteran presence on a young team, and he takes that role to heart each time he steps on the pitch. Jim Curtin often responds to criticisms of Medunjanin’s athleticism by pointing out that he is always among those who have covered the most ground during a match, and this season the deep-lying distributor has made an effort to get forward even more. Medunjanin took three or more shots in only three matches throughout 2017, but he has already done it four times this year.
In late April, Philadelphia Union were desperately in need of a home win against low-flying DC United. They fell behind, then evened the score through Ilsinho’s first of the season. As the first hour of the match ticked away, consternation coursed through Talen Energy Stadium. Borek Dockal served in a cross but it was cleared to the top of the box. Medunjanin was there.
He dropped the looping ball to his left foot and took a touch. The defense closed, and Medunjanin feinted a cross but waited, giving his teammates an extra moment to flood the back post as they read his intention. Then, just before he was closed down, the Bosnian curled the ball to Alejandro Bedoya, who headed it across goal for CJ Sapong to nod home, giving the Union the lead. The Union went on to win, and they have since built on those points in a quest to climb into the playoff picture.
Medunjanin showed his poise on that play, and his hesitation move controlled both what DC’s defense did, and his teammates’ own movements. Now he is ready to do the same in the MLS All-Star game.
Fans can cast their vote for Medunjanin to the MLS All-Star Game Fan XI presented by Target through the free MLS app and on the online ballot on MLSsoccer.com beginning June 8. Voting will end on June 20, so hurry up and vote #HailHaris now!
For more information on the 2018 MLS All-Star Game Fan XI presented by Target, please click here.
EA SPORTS "More Than a Vote" challenge:
One goal equals one vote.
Cast your vote for the MLS All-Stars' third forward by scoring goals in EA SPORTS FIFA 17 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One or Xbox 360. Every time you score a goal using a forward on the MLS All-Star ballot that player will receive a vote. Each goal scored equals one vote. (Voting ends June 20 at 11:55 PM PT.)
