Michael Parkhurst joined Atlanta United on Dec. 11, 2016 in a trade with Columbus Crew SC in exchange for General Allocation Money (GAM). Atlanta's captain since joining the club, Parkhurst is a veteran center back with 281 career appearances heading into the 2019 season. In addition to six MLS All-Star selections (2005, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018), Parkhurst’s decorated career includes being named the 2007 MLS Defender of the Year (in addition to being named a finalist in 2014 and 2018), a 2007 MLS Best XI selection and the MLS Fair Play award recipient three different seasons (2007, 2008, 2014). He’s also a durable defender, appearing in at least 33 games during each of his past five seasons. He has been capped by the U.S. Men’s National Team 25 times.
2018 (Atlanta United): A finalist for MLS Defender of the Year, Parkhurst featured in 33 league matches, making 32 starts as Atlanta United’s team captain. The center back was voted an MLS All-Star for the sixth time in his career, his second consecutive recognition since joining Atlanta United. Parkhurst led the team with 154 clearances and ranked third in minutes played. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week three times in 2018 and anchored a defense that produced eight clean sheets. Offensively, Parkhurst chipped in with two assists, his first two for Atlanta United. MLS Cup Playoffs:Started and played every minute of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series victory against NYCFC. Captained Atlanta United to an Eastern Conference title winning the series against New York Red Bull. Captured his first MLS Cup trophy, leading Atlanta United to a 2-0 win vs. Portland. Finished third in Defender of the Year voting.Â
2017 (Atlanta United): Atlanta’s captain made 33 league appearances, all starts, and was voted an MLS All-Star for the fifth time in his career. The center back anchored the back line to 12 clean sheets, led the team in clearances and was tied for the team-lead in blocks. He was also a two-time selection to the MLS Team of the Week. MLS Cup Playoffs: Due to an injury the week before, Parkhurst came on as a substitute and played 53 minutes against Columbus on Oct. 26.
2016 (Columbus): Parkhurst made 34 appearances (34 starts) for Crew SC in his third season as the club's captain, adding two assists while starting every regular-season match. He helped the club keep its first clean sheet of the season at Chicago (March 19) and its second against Houston (April 23). He notched his first assist of his 2016 campaign against Montreal (May 7). He helped Crew SC keep its third clean sheet of the season at Toronto (May 21). He was part of a shutout effort in a start against Montreal (June 18). Parkhurst made his 200th career MLS regular-season appearance by starting against D.C. United (July 16), and then started his 200th career regular-season contest the next week against Orlando (July 23). Parkhurst helped Crew SC keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win at New England (Aug. 20) and was a part of another shutout effort vs. San Jose (Aug. 27). He registered his second assist on the season in a start at New York Red Bulls (Oct. 16). OPEN CUP: He made two appearances in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as he started at center back in the 4-0 win over Tampa Bay (June 15) as well as in the Round of 16 match at Chicago (June 28).
2015 (Columbus): Parkhurst made 33 appearances, all starts, at center back in his second season as the club’s captain, recording one assist. He started the season opener against Houston (March 7). Parkhurst helped the club keep a clean sheet in the home opener versus Toronto FC (March 14) and was part of two additional shutouts at New England (April 11) and vs. Orlando (April 18). Parkhurst made his 50th career start for the club at Montreal (July 11). He reached 15,000 MLS minutes played at Orlando (Aug. 1). The defender registered his first-ever assist in Black & Gold as part of a 5-0 win over D.C. (Oct. 25), the club’s second consecutive shutout. Playoffs: Parkhurst started all five matches for Crew SC.
2014 (Columbus): In his first season with Columbus, Parkhurst made 33 appearances, 32 starts. He made 30 starts at centerback and two at right back. Parkhurst earned the Xbox Individual Fair Play Award, becoming the second player to capture the honor three times. He was named captain for the Season Opener against D.C. United (March 8) in his Columbus debut. He was named to the 2014 MLS All-Star Game in Portland, the club’s first All-Star since 2010. PLAYOFFS: He made his Crew postseason debut and his 15th all-time MLS Cup Playoffs appearance in a loss to New England (Nov. 1). He started and played all 90 minutes in the second leg at New England (Nov. 9). OPEN CUP: Parkhurst made two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup appearances, including one start. Started in the 2-1 victory over Indy Eleven (June 17) before entering as a substitute and picking up a red card for a foul in the Fifth Round loss against Chicago (June 25).
2013-2014 (Augsburg): Did not make an appearance.
2012-2013 (Augsburg): Parkhurst made two appearances after joining the side on Dec. 12, 2012. His Bundesliga debut came on January 20, 2013 in a 3-2 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf.
2012-2013 (F.C. Nordsjælland): In his final season in the Danish Superliga, Parkhurst made 16 appearances and scored two goals. The defender scored a 6th minute goal in the 6-1 win over Silkeborg (Aug. 11) and then tallied the game-winning goal in the 1-0 win on against AGF (Aug. 19). He also logged a career-high six starts in UEFA Champions League action.
2011-2012 (F.C. Nordsjælland): In his Danish Superliga-winning season, Parkhurst made a Danish career high 30 appearances, all starts, and scored one goal. He recorded his lone strike of the season against Horsens (March 25). He also logged two starts in UEFA Europa League action.
2010-2011 (F.C. Nordsjælland): His second consecutive season of Danish Cup victory, Parkhurst made 22 appearances, 21 starts, in Danish Superliga play. He also logged two starts in UEFA Europa League action.
2009-2010 (F.C. Nordsjælland): Parkhurst made 23 appearances, all starts, in his second season with F.C. Nordsjælland. He helped the club secure the Danish Cup.
2008-2009 (F.C. Nordsjælland): After departing the Revolution, Parkhurst made 16 appearances, 15 starts, in his first season in the Danish Superliga. He made his League debut in a start in the 1-1 draw against Vejle on March 1.
2008 (New England Revolution): In his fourth and final season in New England Parkhurst made 28 appearances, all starts, and recorded one assist. The Revs won the 2008 Superliga title, the club’s second overall title. Parkhurst also received his second consecutive MLS Fair Play award as he was not issued a caution in 2,520 minutes of regular-season action. PLAYOFFS: Parkhurst started both of New England’s playoff matches which ended in a 3-0 loss (on aggregate) to Chicago in the two-leg conference semifinal.
2007 (New England Revolution): An MLS Best XI honoree and the 2007 MLS Visa Defender of the Year, Parkhurst also won the 2007 MLS Fair Play Award. He started 25 games and committed just five fouls during the regular-season and went the full season without being cautioned. He scored his first-career MLS goal on his first-ever MLS shot at Toronto on Oct. 20 when he chipped Toronto keeper Kenny Stamatopoulos from behind the midfield line in first-half stoppage time. His goal was one of five finalists for MLS Goal of the Year. Parkhurst played in the defensive midfield for three games: May 6 vs. Chicago, June 30 at Chivas USA and July 7 vs. Chivas USA. He was voted to the MLS All-Star Game First XI and started against Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC, playing 83 minutes in MLS’ 2-0 victory. PLAYOFFS: Parkhurst started and played all 90 minutes in each of the Revs’ four postseason games on their way to a third-straight appearance in the MLS Cup title game. He anchored the Revs’ defense, which allowed just two goals in the postseason and posted three straight shutouts to begin the playoffs. New England lost to Houston 2-1.
2006 (New England Revolution): In his second season, Parkhurst anchored MLS' best defense that allowed just 35 goals in 32 games for a club record 1.09 goals against average. He was honored as MLS' U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year for his exemplary community involvement. After missing the first two games of the season, he played every minute of the remaining 30 regular-season games and all four postseason contests. PLAYOFFS: Parkhurst started all four postseason matches which ended in an MLS Cup loss to Houston Dynamo in a shootout.
2005 (New England Revolution): Parkhurst won the MLS Gatorade Rookie of the Year award. He played every minute of every Revolution MLS regular-season game (2880) in 2005, making him one of only five MLS players to do so that year. He committed just six fouls in the course of the entire regular season. PLAYOFFS: Parkhurst played in all four of New England’s playoff matches. The Revs made it to the MLS Cup Final where they fell to Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in extra time.
COLLEGE: At Wake Forest, Parkhurst was a three-time All-ACC selection and he was voted ACC Defender of the Year as a junior. He started and played in 62 games during his three seasons with the Demon Deacons. Parkhurst scored one goal and added two assists during his career at Wake Forest, all in his junior season and was a two-time team MVP.
INTERNATIONAL: Parkhurst has represented the United States on the senior roster since 2007 and has earned 25 caps. In 2014, he started in the international friendly against Mexico (April 2) and in the 2014 calendar-opener in the friendly match against Korea Republic (February 1). His National Team debut came in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Trinidad & Tobago on June 9, 2007. He was a member of the squad that took home the 2007 and 2013 Gold Cup as well as the squad that finished runner-up in the 2009 tournament. He also played for the U.S. Olympic Team in the group stage during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
