NYCFC’s start to the 2025 MLS season has been a roller coaster.
With a draw, a loss, and a win against Inter Miami, LAFC, and Orlando City, the Boys in Blue look to become more consistent in their form with another win this Saturday (7:30 PM EST) as they take on a winless New England Revolution side at Yankee Stadium.
One constant in NYCFC’s push for consistency has been the efforts of homegrown player, Justin Haak.
Since joining the team’s U-14 Academy side in 2015, Haak has completed the entire player pathway to the first team, signing a professional contract in 2019. This season, Haak has featured in all three games for the club so far.
For the 23-year-old, becoming a regular starter for the team has been years in the making, dating back to his days with the Academy and the early challenges of breaking into the first team.
Now, as NYCFC prepares to face the Revolution on Saturday, cementing his place in the starting lineup is just another chapter of his journey with the club.
“I’ve been very happy with how the year has started,” Haak told reporters ahead of Saturday’s match. “[Head coach Pascal Jansen] has brought a different intensity to the team, and I’m really glad to be a part of it these first three games. I just want to keep growing and building on it.”
Jansen has introduced a ‘bulletproof’ mindset to a squad that has had significant player losses over the offseason. The departures of attacker Santiago Rodriguez and midfielder James Sands left a void in the middle of the pitch, forcing players like Haak to pick up the pieces.
Picking up where Sands left off is a challenge the academy product is relishing, particularly after spending much of last season as a rotational player. Thanks to his versatility as a midfielder and defender, Haak has been used in both positions under Jansen, giving NYCFC tactical flexibility when needed.
“No matter what role they need me for the game, I try to prepare the same way to be the best version of myself,” Haak said. “[Playing in midfield and defense] are a little bit different, but there are a lot of similarities between the two. I think that’s why it’s easier for me to just focus on doing what I do well with my game.”
Haak’s best attributes are his physical strength and composure on the ball.
His defensive positioning and tactical awareness are qualities required to be a top-level MLS player. Haak’s blend of these traits makes him an ideal piece for Jansen’s new tactical setup, and one of the reasons why NYCFC beat Orlando City on March 8.
Against Orlando, Haak was an integral part of keeping the score low. Paired alongside Designated Player Thiago Martins, the young defender was strong in the air, crisp with his clearances, and clean with his interceptions.
Haak ended the game with five headed clearances, four recoveries, and an 89% pass completion rate.
“Justin is a winner. He’s very competitive. In the midfield, he brings a lot of composure and defensive awareness,” Jansen said. “We’re also working on his decision-making on the ball going forward. When he plays in the back four, he has more time and space, which allows him to bring that composure to our buildup. But his winning mentality stands out above all.”
On top of his known capabilities, Haak is an excellent progressive passer, ranking in the 87th percentile of all league center backs according to the statistics site, Fbref.
Haak’s combination of a high soccer IQ, defensive stability, and ball-playing abilities make him useful for a high-energy team like NYCFC.
Wherever he does line up on the field, Haak is simply happy to contribute when he can, including growing into a leadership role with fellow Homegrown player Jonathan “Johnny” Shore.
“Off the field, I think I’ve started to become more of a leader,” Haak stated. “I’ve been here for a while now, and we have a lot of young guys coming in, so I try to take on more of that leadership role.”
When he takes the field this Saturday against the Revolution, Haak will look to add to his young NYCFC legacy, just as he once dreamed of making the first team as an academy player.
When asked what advice he would give his younger self, the Brooklyn native kept it simple.
“I would tell him to just keep working hard, and always keep believing in yourself.”
Years later, that belief is still paying off as Haak continues proving his value in NYCFC’s starting eleven.
