Who Is Harvey Sarajian? Armenian Roots, His Journey to MLS and the Griezmann Story

Orlando City’s 21-year-old footballer Harvey Sarajian will represent Armenia. His decision became known on November 10. The Florida native with Armenian roots progressed through high school and college soccer, was selected fifth overall in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft and has already scored for Orlando’s first team.

Sarajian may be a new name to Armenian fans, but Sportaran covered him before he turned professional. At the time, he was playing in the NCAA and preparing for a showcase ahead of the draft. Now his career has taken another turn: the Armenian national team.

Harvey Sarajian’s Biography and Armenian Roots

Harvey Graham Sarajian was born on January 26, 2005, in Naples, Florida. His father and grandfather are Armenian. He grew up in the United States, where every stage of his career unfolded before his invitation to the national team.

Sarajian stands 188 cm tall. He can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder. His game combines athleticism, speed and the ability to carry the ball forward through individual skill.

Harvey is one of six children, with three brothers and two sisters. His father, Scott, played American football at Temple University.

American Football, Track and Field, and Early Success

During his school years, Sarajian competed in several sports. Alongside soccer, he played American football and took part in track and field.

At Naples High School, Harvey achieved notable success on the soccer field. In his senior season, he scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists. Sarajian was named the Class 5A Player of the Year and Southwest Florida’s top soccer player. He was also a finalist for the Gatorade Player of the Year award.

Harvey also played for Florida West and took part in the Sanford ECNL Selection Game. His route to a professional contract, however, took him outside the MLS academy system.

“Throughout my soccer career, my development has been gradual. I didn’t play at an MLS academy or anything like that. It’s always been a process that has helped me stay humble and taught me patience,” Sarajian told Orlando’s club media.

College Career: Georgia Southern and Wake Forest

In 2024, Sarajian began playing for Georgia Southern and immediately became one of the standout newcomers in the Sun Belt Conference.

In his debut NCAA season, he appeared in all 17 of the team’s matches, making 16 starts and playing 1,035 minutes. He recorded 4 goals and 6 assists, leading the team in assists.

At the end of the season, Harvey was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors. He ranked 22nd in TopDrawerSoccer’s NCAA freshman rankings.

His next step was a move to Wake Forest. During the 2025 season, Sarajian made 14 appearances for the college team, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists.

When he joined, Wake Forest head coach Bobby Muuss highlighted his versatility, athleticism and ability to beat opponents in the final third.

Fifth Overall in the MLS Draft and a Move to Orlando City

In December 2025, Sarajian received an invitation to the MLS College Showcase in Mesa, Arizona. The event gives club representatives an opportunity to assess college players ahead of the draft.

Orlando City selected Harvey fifth overall in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. In January, he signed a professional contract, leaving college soccer behind to prepare for his first MLS season.

Armenian football had already seen a similarly high draft pick: in 2006, Yura Movsisyan was selected fourth overall, joining Kansas City.

Orlando City B Statistics and His First MLS Goal

Sarajian spent the early stages of his professional career primarily with Orlando City B, which competes in MLS NEXT Pro. A club feature on his debut season listed 7 goals and 6 assists in 16 appearances for the second team.

Harvey made his MLS debut in April against Houston Dynamo. He gradually earned more opportunities with the first team, and on September 12, he scored his first goal for Orlando City against Toronto.

“That goal honestly changed my whole year because it gave me the belief that I could score against these teams and help my team,” the player admitted.

There is also a personal detail to the story: Harvey attended his first professional soccer match in 2015, when he was ten years old. It was an Orlando City game at Camping World Stadium. Years later, he took to the field wearing the shirt of the club he had once watched from the stands.

How Sarajian and Griezmann Exchanged Jokes

One of the most talked-about moments of Harvey’s first season involved Antoine Griezmann.

After setting up a goal for Sarajian, the Frenchman learned from Orlando’s posts that his teammate had previously played American football. Griezmann shared the story on social media and later arrived at a game wearing a T-shirt featuring Harvey in his American football gear.

Sarajian responded in the same spirit, turning up for training in a T-shirt printed with a picture of Griezmann pulling a funny face.

What Sarajian Can Offer Armenia

Sarajian’s call-up gives Armenia another player capable of covering several attacking positions. At 188 cm tall, he possesses qualities well suited to playing out wide: speed, ball-carrying ability and the skill to beat opponents one-on-one. Harvey could provide a long-term solution on the left wing and play through the middle when needed.

In college soccer, Harvey proved himself as both a scorer and a creator. He is still in his first professional season, progressing from productive performances for Orlando City B to playing time and a goal in MLS.

Choosing Armenia opens the next chapter of his career: an opportunity to bring the experience he has gained in American club soccer to the international stage.

Read also: Sportaran’s first feature on Harvey Sarajian, published before the MLS draft.