Jack Elliott won a starting center back role by taking his chance in 2017 and running with it. He never lost his spot in the first eleven in 2018, but twice Mark McKenzie took it from him. First an injury sat Elliott down, then McKenzie's fine play after filling in against Columbus.
It is this context -- that he simply couldn't match McKenzie's speed, and that made it more difficult for the Union to play their preferred high back line -- in which Jack Elliott's season should be seen. He went from late round MLS SuperDraft pick to legitimate option as a starting defender, and his biggest flaw was not being the perfect fit for the club's system as it evolved.