Atlanta United will have a new captain this season.
Michael Parkhurst, who captained the club 92 times in its first three seasons, during which it won three major trophies, retired.
Manager Frank de Boer said Monday that he has two candidates in mind to take over the role: goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Jeff Larentowicz. As the exhibition games are played, de Boer said it will become clear who he would prefer to captain the squad. Guzan has captained Atlanta United 18 times across all competitions during the past three seasons. Larentowicz has captained the squad 12 times, including in the Campeones Cup.
Parkhurst spent a few minutes Wednesday discussing what he thinks makes a good captain, what he appreciates about the job and whether there were differences between captaining a squad managed by Gerardo Martino and one by de Boer.
One thing is for certain about being named captain, according to Parkhurst.
“You have to be respected within the locker room,” he said. “I think that to be respected for the way you play is important, but not as important as being respected by everyone for the person you are.”
Parkhurst then reminded himself that he needed to text a former teammate a few words of encouragement.
Even in retirement, the job doesn’t stop.
The next captain will have big boots to fill, even if the lithe Parkhurst likely didn’t stretch out the white captain’s band on his left arm.
Parkhurst was selected the inaugural captain by Vice President Carlos Bocanegra and Martino. The moment was videotaped during a windy day in Suwanee during the first training camp in 2017.
“We’re excited for you to be the first captain of Atlanta United,” Bocanegra said.
Martino followed with, “Congratulations.”
“I’m excited,” Parkhurst replied.
Parkhurst went on to captain the squad to three major trophies, including the MLS Cup in 2018.
The respect was such that even after the team won the Campeones Cup, a game in which Parkhurst didn’t come off the bench, Larentowicz offered him the chance to lift the trophy. Parkhurst politely declined.
“I was always trying to have his back and Brad as well,” Larentowicz said.
What does the captain do? Is it a ceremonial role or must he resolve spats about splitting time between the Palace and Canada?
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
Though Parkhurst said it is definitely cool to get to take out the team flag before games, to be the first to lift the silverware and be called captain by those who work in the offices and those you meet in the community, he said a most important element in being a captain is the trust that you have earned. The coaching staff needs to trust the captain to be a connector to the players when relaying information and tactics. The players need to trust the captain so that they can talk about issues on and off the field. That trust is built through building relationships, by being on the practice field as frequently as possible and handling the jobs that sometimes were the last thing anyone wanted to do.
Journalists covering Atlanta United knew that, even after a loss such as the one to Toronto that cost the team the Supporters Shield in 2018, Parkhurst would patiently answer the whys and hows, swallowing for a few minutes the disappointment to try to turn the carousel of emotions into usable, honest information.
Parkhurst didn’t think there was much of a difference in serving as captain for Martino, a native of Argentina, than for de Boer, who is Dutch. He said he thinks the South American players may value the role more than the Americans and Europeans, who he stressed do think it’s important.
Parkhurst said that either Larentowicz or Guzan would make a great captain.
“They are out there every day,” Parkhurst said. “Even in (their) mid-30s, grinding every day. Through injuries, through pain. They are always available. That’s a big thing. I think they have the respect of everyone in the locker room, which is the most important thing, based upon their performance on the field and the locker room. They will both be very successful captains.”
As with Parkhurst reminding himself of the text, Larentowicz said the captain likely will take the job home a bit more.
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
“Whether it’s true or not, people are going to be looking to you much like the coach or anyone in a leadership position,” he said. “Whether your leadership style is to be on top of people all the time or whether you are just the guy the coach gave the armband to, people are going to look to you. It’s a bit harder to go home and put things away.”
Larentowicz and Guzan said many of Atlanta United’s players are internally driven, so the role of captain may be more ceremonial most of the time.
“I think when you are at a big club with big players and important games are on the line, it’s not down to one guy,” Guzan said. “It’s about everyone having a line of communication with the coaching staff, everybody having a line of communication with each other and understanding what we are trying to do as a group.
“When you look at what Parky has done for the club, I don’t think anyone will ever replace his boots, but in terms of the personnel we have on the field, it’s not down to one guy. It’s down to everybody taking responsibility, communicating and playing a part in having a leadership role.”
Atlanta United captaincy breakdown
(provided by Atlanta United)All-time MLS regular season
Parkhurst, 80
Guzan, 15
Larentowicz, 7
All-time MLS playoffs
Parkhurst, 7
Larentowicz, 2
Campeones Cup
Larentowicz, 1
All-time Open Cup
Guzan, 3
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 3
Larentowicz, 2
Parkhurst, 1
All-time Concacaf Champions League
Parkhurst, 4
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