If it results in Atlanta United winning games, Michael Parkhurst is mostly OK with not being an automatic starter in the team’s 11.
But that doesn’t mean that the 35-year-old is making his retirement plans. He said he is going to push centerbacks Miles Robinson and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, as well as the pool of players at right fullback and left fullback.
“I want to play,” the team’s captain said. “I’m still a competitor. I still think I can help the team. But if I can help the team coming off the bench or being there to support, that’s what I’ll do.”
The beginning of what may be considered the end of the career of one of the more intelligent defenders in MLS history may have begun when Parkhurst not only didn’t start for Atlanta United at Columbus two weeks ago, he didn’t play. Considering the monsoon, cold temperatures and bitter wind that occurred during the game, Parkhurst joked that sitting on the bench may not have been such a bad thing.
“It was strange,” he said. “Most of the time, when I’ve been there I’ve been playing. I understand what’s going on. Whatever is going to help us get wins.”
In reality, Parkhurst said he could see before the season what was likely going to happen with his playing time.
Though he played well enough to finish third in voting for MLS Defender of the Year last season, Atlanta United has 27-year-old Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who finished fifth, and 22-year-old Miles Robinson, the team’s first-ever draft pick.
Manager Frank de Boer elected to start this season playing three centerbacks, which allowed for Parkhurst, Gonzalez Pirez and Robinson to play. Robinson hasn’t disappointed. Parkhurst has repeatedly praised his one-on-one defending and did so again Wednesday.
“He’s exceeded expectations. I’m happy for him,” Parkhurst said. “I’ll be there to help him and push him, help him grow.”
The next sign came in the second half of a 1-1 draw with Philadelphia when de Boer switched to a four-man back line. Parkhurst was moved from centerback to left fullback. It’s a position that Parkhurst hadn’t played regularly since he was with the U.S. men’s national team, which stopped calling him up in 2014. It also was a sign that if the team is going to play two centerbacks, there are two guys ahead of Parkhurst. He has worked at fullback during the past week because of shortages at the positions.
“I don’t think it’s a case of me playing so poorly that I was dropped,” he said. “More of a case of these guys playing so good and switching to a back four that there is one of us that will probably be left out. That’s how I’m viewing it. I’ve got to keep the confidence high.”
And then came the game at Columbus when the team again went with a four-man back line that consists of two centerbacks and two fullbacks.
To put the exclusion in perspective, Parkhurst has started at least 33 games every season since 2008, when he started 28 with New England. In his MLS career, he has 284 appearances, including 282 starts.
Parkhurst said he didn’t think it odd that the team’s captain may not be an automatic selection. He compared his situation with that of 33-year-old Vincent Kompany, who is Manchester City’s captain but plays infrequently.
“It’s a different approach, it’s a different mentality,” he said. “That’s the evolution of the game. There’s no hiding it. I’m getting older. You have younger guys that are fitter and stronger and coming into their own. It’s part of what happens. I understand that.
“It doesn’t mean I’m going to make it easy for those guys. I’m going to push them and make sure they are earning their spot each and every week and keeping me off the field rightfully. That’s what’s happened so far. It’s been great.”
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