Jack Hallahan comes to LAFC via the 50th overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
The University of Michigan midfielder arrives in LA by way of Redditch, England. A four-year starter for the Wolverines, Hallahan earned All-Big Ten First Team honors in three seasons (2017-2019). A 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, the midfielder was one of 40 players invited to the 2019 adidas College Showcase.
We wanted to get to know Hallahan a little better on and off the pitch. After his selection, I spoke to him for a few minutes via phone. The following is our conversation:
What were your emotions when you were told you'd been selected by LAFC?
I was honestly just really happy. I was massively relieved that I was going to have the opportunity to try to show myself. LA is a beautiful city, a beautiful place. It’s a great Club. I was rooting for it all along. It’s honestly just a massive relief.
Coming from England to Michigan, how did that shape you as a player?
In England, obviously, the culture is all surrounded by football. It’s everywhere you look. It’s in all the pubs and at all the parks. It was a massive difference for me coming from a 24/7 football environment to somewhere like America where it’s a little bit held back and there are different interests and different sports. It also helped grow my passion for the game a little bit. And I just noticed how much I love the game. It was just a very different culture.
In your words, what do you bring to matches?
I’m very attacking minded. I’m obviously a dribbler. I love 1v1 attacking, getting down the line and putting in crosses. I have good service off both feet. I’m good in tight areas. I don’t base my game off a specific player. It’s more like I try to take parts off of different professionals’ games, things that I find interesting and effective.
But yeah, I’m dribbling and attacking minded. I like linking up in the center, getting out wide, putting in crosses, assists, and goals. That’s me in a nutshell.
What about off the pitch? What are you like when you're not playing or in training?
While soccer is massive to me, I definitely decompress a bit. I love nature. I love hiking. This is why LA is so great, I love the beach and I love outdoor activities. I try to get out. But I obviously watch a lot of football on TV. When I watch TV, it’s normally based around football. Otherwise, I’m usually outdoors and in the parks.
What excites you about the city of Los Angeles? Anything you really look forward to here?
I want to all the national parks on the West Coast, that’s for sure. So, I’d slowly want to make my way up the West Coast and do all of them. I want to do the Pacific Coast Highway, which I’ve been dreaming of doing for a while now. I learned how to surf a couple of summers ago, out of season I’ll definitely be surfing for sure. It’s a good way to keep fit and have some fun.
What are your thoughts on the atmosphere at LAFC matches and the 3252?
That’s an exciting component for me, immersing in something new and experiencing it. I’m excited to see it and experience it.
