Anchoring a defense that conceded only 35 goals during the regular season (the fourth fewest in the league), Jack Elliott was an indispensable part of the Philadelphia Union back line in 2021.
He started every regular season match but one, using his size to dominate in the air and his situational awareness to put out fires before they could start. He even bombed forward on occasion, surprising opposing midfielders with his speed and dribbling ability.
While his center back partner, Jakob Glesnes, made highlight reels around the world with incredible, long-range goals, Elliott quietly put up similar attacking numbers (two goals and two assists compared to Glesnes’s four goals and two assists), though in less spectacular fashion.