Harbor Miller said he came into the new season with a modest goal of making his first-team debut with the Galaxy.
That was accomplished, although modestly, with a one-minute appearance in the Galaxy’s second game of the year.
Miller wanted more than that – and that’s what he’s found, especially of late.
The 18-year-old defender, who made 16 starts with Ventura County FC in the MLS Next Pro this season, is becoming a regular on the first-team roster. He has started in the past three Galaxy games. He’s made eight MLS appearances, with seven starts, including one back in March in Costa Rica in the Galaxy’s CONCACAF Champions Cup start against CS Herediano.
“I think I’ve exceeded by a lot,” the Fullerton native said of the initial goal of making a first-team debut. “I’m super grateful for that. I probably wouldn’t have expected to tell you that I’ve made quite a few starts, scored my first (MLS) goal. I probably wouldn’t have guessed that.
“I think that’s also the beautiful think about soccer is once you get a chance and sometimes you take your opportunity, amazing things can happen.”
One thing Miller has going for him is his confidence, as Galaxy coach Greg Vanney has reiterated several times.
“He plays with a lot of maturity and confidence, especially on the attacking side,” Vanney said. “He’s confident on the dribble and moving with the ball, not just standing and passing. He’s playing this hybrid role for us, which is at times like a winger and at times he’s defending low like a fullback.
“He is a good soccer player and he’s played different positions coming through the academy, so he is comfortable around the field and comfortable with both feet. He is a kid with a lot of confidence.”
Miller signed a Homegrown Player contract last year and Galaxy contract began this year through 2027. He’s among the growing group of Academy players to make their way to the second team and now he’s leading the charge to the first team.
“When I came here, for the first year, year and half, I didn’t really have a lot of involvement in the Academy, in terms of our style of play or our philosophy and methodology in terms of the way things were shaping up in the Academy,” Vanney said. “For me, it was the ’07 age group that was going to be our first sort of generation of players that I thought we’re going to have the ability to make the transition from the Academy into the first team and start to have a real impact into it.
“That group are the guys you’re seeing, Harbor (Miller), Ruben (Ramos Jr.), the guys having success at the second-team level that are making their way. That ’07 group has quite a few guys who, if they continue on their trajectory and path, they do have a chance to make the transition to the next level. I’m excited. You want the Academy to be kind of a conveyor belt into your first team and guys who initially make the transition and play supporting cast roles and hopefully those guys will continue to grow and play either larger roles or guys maybe who move on and go to Europe and our resource to the club for that way and means.”
Vanney will be serving a one-game suspension Saturday in the Galaxy’s home game against Sporting Kansas City after receiving his third yellow card last week. Assistant coach Dan Calichman will assume the coaching duties.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY at GALAXY
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)