Sports stats



MLS Colorado Rapids

Michael Harrington 'Excited About the Fresh Start' with Colorado Rapids

December 10, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


New Colorado Rapids defender Michael Harrington is excited about moving to Colorado from Portland, but if someone had asked him a year ago if he would be leaving the Timbers, he admits: "I would have said you are crazy."

The year 2013 was arguably Harrington's best in MLS. He started 33 games for the Timbers, helping Portland finish top of the Western Conference. At one point of the season he had played more than 1,700 consecutive minutes. He figured heavily by playing in 14 of Portland's 15 clean sheets during that campaign, and spent time training with the U.S. national team. Everything seemed lined up for continued success.

But Portland did not repeat its fast start of 2013 and finished out of the playoffs in 2014.

"I was surprised about how things shook out for me over the last six months," says Harrington, who will be 29 next month. "Toward the end of the year I sort of fell out of favor, but that's the way this business works."

Harrington brings loads of experience to the Rapids, something Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni talked about last season and during this off-season.

"He (Mastroeni) basically told me that they like me as a player. They like the experience I have in the league (next year will be my ninth season). They are excited about getting an experienced player. I feel like I'm in the prime of my career and I hope I can contribute not only by being a leader, but also being a good player for the team."

Harrington is one of the most versatile outside defenders in the league. "I really don't care which side I play on," he says. "I'm sort of 'both-footed' so I don't have a preference. In my career, I've played more on the left, but also I've played full seasons on the right. I'm comfortable on either side."

While he's the type of player that is always looking to get forward, Harrington says the biggest part of his game is "defending first, because at the end of the day, a defender is what you are." However, he's always looking to get forward and according to the Greenville, N.C. product: "The coach wants backs to be able to get forward."

One of the most experienced defenders in the league, Harrington has some interesting comments on the state of the league and what it takes to win at the top level:

"We are a league of parity," he says. "So it's pretty impressive what the Galaxy has been able to do in terms of keeping that high level and keeping it consistent. That's the challenge for every team and every player as well - keeping that level high and being able to win season after season.

Right now, though, Harrington and his wife, Maggie (who is from Kansas City), are just trying to get organized prior to moving from Portland. The Harringtons also are expecting their first child in June.

I'm excited about the fresh start," he says. "And I'm ready to get with the team and do all I can to try and help them win."

Check out the Colorado Rapids Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from December 10, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central