Atlanta United's Michael Parkhurst, 35, announced on Monday that he is retiring as a professional soccer player at the end of the MLS season.
Here is what some are saying about Parkhurst:
"Michael Parkhurst might not be as strong, fast or skilled as you…but he's smarter than you. He sees the geometry of the game and does the calculation. Armed with that information he is better equipped to answer the question that every defender is constantly asking, 'What if?' Oh, and just when you think you got him figured out, you find that he's actually just as strong, fast and skilled as you." - Alexi Lalas
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"He was my role model as a player. He showed that you didn't have to be overly fast, strong, or "talented." It was possible to make through intelligence, demeanor, and technical ability. It meant a lot to me - he turned pro in 2005 when I was in high school - to see someone like Parkhurst push into the top level of American soccer. I knew what I could model my game after him and get to the levels I wanted to get to." - Former MLS player Bobby Warshaw
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"One of my favorites was when I first met him. We landed at LAX for the 2005 combine and an MLS van picked us up. He got on and I thought he was a tutor for one of the guys that was finishing school. He turned out to be one of the best students of the game this league has seen." - Dan Gargan, fomer pro player and current TV analyst for Atlanta United games
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"I think he's a lead-by-example kind of guy. He's always the first one in and the last one out and does what needs to feel the way he needs to feel. Everybody sees that. He never steps a foot wrong. He has opinions about things and see things a way. He's not the most vocal. He's a fun guy, as well. A lot of jokes, especially with the guys he's comfortable with. The presence he has. The experience he has. The way he is on the field. He's an all-around package." - Julian Gressel, teammate
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"What made Parkhurst so good was that he wasn't the fastest or the strongest… He was the smartest." - Former pro player Brian Dunseth, who now co-hosts Counter Attack on SiriusXM radio
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"He's a great example for the team. At his age, he's still so fit because he's taking care of himself. I know, of course with experience, when you're getting older you think of that. I said a lot of players can take an example of how he's preparing for the game every time even though he's not playing much lately. He's a great example. This is what you want to see from every professional." - Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer
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"His career accolades speak for themselves, but during his time in Atlanta, he was a consummate professional and played an integral role for us, both on-and-off the field. In addition to solidifying our back line for the 2018 MLS Cup Championship run, he was also an influential figure in building our club's culture and we're forever indebted to him for that. We wish him the best in his future endeavors and he'll always be welcome back at Atlanta United." - Atlanta United Vice President Carlos Bocanegra
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