MLS D.C. United

John Harkes Retires at Age 36

Published on April 5, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHANTILLY, VA (April 5, 2003) – John Harkes, one of America's most successful soccer players ever, announced today his retirement from professional soccer. Harkes spent the final seven years of his career in Major League Soccer, including a three-year stint with D.C. United, in which he led the club to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 1996 and 1997. The Black-And-Red also captured the 1996 U.S. Open Cup, 1998 CONCACAF Champions Cup, and 1998 Inter-American Cup during his captaincy.

"Today, I am announcing my retirement from MLS," said Harkes. "Although this is something every player has to face at some stage, it is very difficult. Yet, instead of crying because my career is over, I'm smiling because my career happened. In addition, it was always a pleasure to play for D.C. United, because of the fans. Those years were so special for me, not only due to our club's success, but because of the bond that I was able to establish with them. I could feel their love and passion on the field and it allowed me to be a better player ande enjoy the game that much more.

D.C. United also announced today that Harkes will re-join the Black-and-Red, for his farewell match, when the club hosts Tottenham HotSpur for their May 14th Capital Cup fixture. Kick-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the game range from $16-$36 and are available through TicketMaster PhoneCharge (202-4332-SEAT), at any TicketMaster outlet, through D.C. United (703-478-6600) or at HYPERLINK "http://www.dcunited.com" www.dcunited.com. Season ticket holders will be admitted to the game by presenting special event "A" from their season ticket plans at the gate on game day.

Harkes grew up in the soccer hotbed of Kearny, NJ, where he played youth and high school soccer with future U. S. Men's National Team teammates Tab Ramos and Tony Meola. He played college soccer at the University of Virginia before departing to play professionally in England. Harkes spent six years in England where he played with Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, and West Ham United, seeing action in both the English First Division and the Premier League. Harkes became the first American ever to play in England's hallowed Wembley Stadium when he helped Sheffield Wednesday capture the League Cup title over Manchester United in 1991. In 1992, he became the first American to play in a UEFA Cup match and, in 1993, became the first American to score in a League Cup Final, notching Wednesday's consolation goal in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal.

During his time in Europe, Harkes was also a key member of the U.S. National Team. He played in two matches at the 1988 Olympics before playing in all three of the United States' matches at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Harkes was the MVP of the U.S. Cup in 1992 after scoring two goals and leading the U.S. team to the championship. He again represented the U.S. at the World Cup in 1994, playing every minute of the team's three group matches. However, he was forced to miss the crucial Round-of-16 fixture with Brazil due to yellow card accumulation.

In 1996, Harkes returned to the United States to join D.C. United in Major League Soccer's inaugural year. He helped D.C. United capture five trophies in his three-year stint in the Capital before being traded to the New England Revolution after the 1998 season. Harkes spent two and a half seasons with the Revolution, totaling two goals and fourteen assists before being traded mid-season to the Columbus Crew in 2001. Harkes finished his professional career in Columbus in 2002, during which he made seven starts in eleven appearances for the Crew. During his seven years in Major League Soccer, Harkes made five appearances on the MLS All-Star team.

Harkes continued his involvement with the U.S. National Team during his time in MLS. He was an important part of the team's qualification for the 1998 World Cup and recorded two assists in the final qualifier against El Salvador in 1997, a 4-2 victory for the Red, White, and Blue. However, he was cut from the team just weeks prior to the tournament in France. In 1999 Harkes helped the U.S. team capture the bronze medal at the 1999 Confederations Cup. He would finish his international career with 90 caps and six goals.

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