Atlanta United’s Michael Parkhurst will play in his fifth MLS All-Star game on Wednesday.
He hopes to play in at least three more.
Parkhurst, 33, said he feels good and hopes to see out his two-year contract, and the one-year option.
“I want to play as long as I can majorly contribute to the team,” he said. “I don’t see myself ending my career playing a lot of reserve games, just hanging on by a thread.”
Parkhurst is an All-Star by virtue of being selected by Chicago manager Veljko Paunovic, who will manage the team that will play Real Madrid at Soldier Field.
Parkhurst previously was honored in 2005, ’07 and ’08 while with New England, and in 2014 in his first year in Columbus. The years in between he played for various clubs in Europe.
He will be joined by Atlanta United teammates Miguel Almiron and Greg Garza as the reps for the first-year team. Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin will participate in the Homegrown Game on Tuesday against Chivas.
“It’s a fantastic honor,” Parkhurst said. “To be able to go out and represent the squad in the first all-star game for Atlanta United is awesome.”
Though a gifted cerebral player who made the All-Star team by virtue of how he reads the game and his positioning, which makes up for his lack of height (5-11) and good-enough quickness, Parkhurst said he doesn’t plan on using those gifts as by getting into coaching after he retires.
Instead, he wants to stay home with his children so that his wife, who has a doctorate in physical therapy, can pursue her passion.
“My wife has given up her career for my career,” he said. “When I’m done it’s her turn.”
Parkhurst said he was surprised that he was selected to play on Wednesday, and assumed he had appeared in his last All-Star game. As such, he wants to enjoy the experience.
He’s most looking forward to possibly facing Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
“It would be nice to see the level,” he said.
Parkhurst laughed when asked if receiving a yellow card trying to stop the speedy Bale would be considered a badge of courage.
“If I could do it without the yellow card it would be a better badge,” he said.
About the Author
