Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

There is something inherently exciting about prospects. They offer hope for the future. Fans and coaches dream of what’s to come, envision the metamorphosis of raw potential to production.

On Sunday night in Vancouver, Derrick Jones’s journey began.

For the first time in franchise history, the Philadelphia Union featured an academy product in the starting XI.  Traveling 3,000 miles across the continent, Jim Curtin was hoping Vancouver’s exceptional pace wouldn’t expose the rookie whose role was to provide cover for the defense.

Instead, something unexpected happened.

Derrick Jones was the best Union player on the field.

The midfielder was a force in the center of the pitch as he won a game-high four tackles. Jones was instrumental in limiting Vancouver to 61% completed passes in the attacking half.  The home side only registered a single shot on net, which came from a corner.

Jones’s athleticism was never a question. His speed and movement around the field have always been evident.

More surprising, however, was the poise he displayed. Jones brought a calming influence to the midfield, which is normally not expected from a homegrown player making his professional debut.

The rookie looked every bit the veteran his midfield partner, Haris Medunjanin, is.

The duo was dynamic in a unique way. Jones put in the running and gritty defensive work. Medunjanin’s distribution was excellent, as he completed 88% of his passes. Both players read each other well. As one ventured forward, the other shielded the backline. Neither player allowed his positioning to be compromised.

It was only one game, but Curtin has reason to be optimistic about the base of his midfield.

While Jones is our player of the week, there is still plenty to remember.

• The Union played a conservative game. They were hesitant to fully commit going forward and expose themselves to counterattacks.
• Chris Pontius, Fabian Herbers, and Alejandro Bedoya had a lot of defensive duties, protecting Jones and Medunjanin in the same way the two protected the defense.
• Vancouver was not playing with the same energy they displayed Thursday night against the Red Bulls. Tired legs can dull a team’s attacking edge.
• Derrick Jones has shown a vast improvement in his passing since we first saw him against the Rowdies in Tampa as his ball movement was calm and collected on Sunday. There is still room for improvement. Against the Whitecaps, it was at 72 percent. Only Pontius’s accuracy was worse among outfield players for the Union.

Jones has markedly improved each game with the Union. It is that progression, not just this game, which offers the most hope for his future.

This Saturday, Philadelphia plays their first home game of the campaign. While Vancouver brought speed, Toronto brings so much more. The defending Eastern Conference champions boast a trio of the best MLS has to offer.

If Derrick Jones can contain Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and Sebastian Giovinco, Philadelphia will know they have something truly special.

Honorable mention

Nick Brison. The Kennett Square teenager and product of the Southern Chester County Soccer Club scored a hat trick Sunday for the Eastern Pennsylvania Under-17 Boys ODP team to lead his side to a stunning 7-0 win in the 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Championship in Phoenix.