Michael Parkhurst
The veteran defender reflects on his impressive career, including the toughest opponents he has faced and his greatest soccer achievements.
- Juan Agudelo
- Eric Alexander
- Jozy Altidore
- Kyle Beckerman
- Tony Beltran
- Austin Berry
- Matt Besler
- Nat Borchers
- Terrence Boyd
- Will Bruin
- Edson Buddle
- Teal Bunbury
- Geoff Cameron
- Edgar Castillo
- Ricardo Clark
- Steve Clark
- Bobby Convey
- Kenny Cooper
- Joe Corona
- Sam Cronin
- Cody Cropper
- Danny Cruz
- Daniel Cuevas
- Charlie Davies
- Brad Davis
- Nick DeLeon
- Jay DeMerit
- Maurice Edu
- Michael Farfan
- Andrew Farrell
- Benny Feilhaber
- Greg Garza
- Eddie Gaven
- Luis Gil
- Alan Gordon
- Andy Gruenebaum
- Bill Hamid
- Matt Hedges
- Clint Irwin
- George John
- Sean Johnson
- Jermaine Jones
- Benji Joya
- Dan Kennedy
- Perry Kitchen
- Jeff Larentowicz
- Steven Lenhart
- Chad Marshall
- Jack McBean
- Dax McCarty
- Jack McInerney
- Matt Miazga
- Justin Morrow
- Patrick Mullins
- Lee Nguyen
- Conor O'Brien
- Amobi Okugo
- Michael Parkhurst
- Heath Pearce
- Chris Pontius
- Dillon Powers
- Christian Ramirez
- Nick Rimando
- Chris Rolfe
- Kelyn Rowe
- Omar Salgado
- C.J. Sapong
- Brek Shea
- Harry Shipp
- Tommy Thompson
- Wil Trapp
- Andrew Wenger
- Danny Williams
- Sheanon Williams
- Chris Wondolowski
- Graham Zusi
July 23, 2015
2:05 PM
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Michael Janosz/isiphotos.com
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?
Playing at a rec field, I don’t even know how old I was, probably under six, under seven. I was out there playing with my sister, playing with kids that were older than me, just running around and getting the soccer ball.
WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?
Probably [Roberto] Baggio. I had a poster of him in my room growing up and watching the ’94 World cup, he was someone that always stood out.
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.
It was the Gold Cup, in a group game—against Trinidad. It is just the pinnacle to represent your country. It is just a phenomenal experience and I take a lot of pride in it, not many guys get that opportunity. I just remember hoping the day would last forever and experiencing it. I can look back proudly and know that we won.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?
Probably the running aspect. When I see some guys that can absolutely run for 90 minutes completely and even more than that and they are not even tired. But also, the type of running that it is. It is always impressive to see some guys that are even fitter than most guys. Combining that obviously with the skill of soccer is pretty impressive.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?
The long throw-in, I can’t stand the long-throw in.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?
For me it is using my brain. I’m not the most physically gifted player. I have to make up with that with thinking ahead and reading the game and using my brain to my advantage.
WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?
My aerial ability can always improve. I’m not the biggest guy, but being able to get up there and win some headers and use my body a little more effectively.
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
I’ve been lucky to have a few really good coaches along the way. Stacey DeCastro back in Rhode Island was my coach for many, many years growing up and he instilled the love of the game for me. Tom Durkin down at IMG probably took my game to another level, especially tactically.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?
Rory Dowdell, we grew up playing soccer together for a long time. We went to boarding school together, so we had a really strong bond and we still do. Still playing today in the league are Stephen Keel and James Riley, they stood up in my wedding and they are still playing in MLS and we are good buddies.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?
It’s tough. It’s split between playing in the Olympics and playing in the [UEFA] Champions League
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?
Pick any of my first three MLS Cups.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?
Tomorrow is always another day. Whether you had the best day or the worst day, you’re still going to wake up tomorrow and life is still going to go on and you’ll still get to play soccer as a professional—so don’t dwell on it too much.
WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?
Shalrie Joseph is the first name that comes to mind, an absolute beast when I played with him in MLS. He is one of the best. Landon [Donovan] with the national team of course, he’s fantastic. I think I’ve played with some really good goalies, Matt Reis and Steve Clark, really impressive goalies.
WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?
I would say Landon [Donovan] is up there as well. In Champions League, we got to play against some really good players, Kwadwo Asamoah from Juventus was really good.
IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
That’s a great question. I’ve been starting to think about it more. I don’t know, maybe some sort of sports medicine or sports physio, something in that field maybe.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?
Winning but with fair play, with style, with grace.
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