MLS New England Revolution

Revolution's Parkhurst Wins 2007 MLS Fair Play Award

Published on October 31, 2007 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Revolution central defender Michael Parkhurst was named the winner of the 2007 Major League Soccer Fair Play Award, the League announced on Wednesday. The Fair Play award was determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

Parkhurst, 23, who is also a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year, won the award after being named one of three finalists on Monday. Real Salt Lake and retired U.S. National Team defender Eddie Pope and Los Angeles Galaxy and retired U.S. National Team midfielder Cobi Jones - who have both announced their retirements from MLS following the 2007 season - were the other two finalists for the award.

"It's really an honor to be recognized with this award," Parkhurst said. "It's especially humbling to be named a finalist with the likes of Eddie and Cobi. They're both first-class men who have done so much for American soccer. They were trailblazers for the sport in this country and so many players my age looked up to them as role models. It's an honor to be considered in the same category with them."

Parkhurst, a native of Cranston, R.I., was the epitome of fair play this season. In 25 games, he committed just five fouls and received no cautions or red cards. In only his third season in MLS, Parkhurst has established himself as arguably the league's top defender. Parkhurst's remarkable ability to read the game and position himself defensively has allowed him to diffuse attacks gracefully.

Parkhurst missed the first three games of the 2007 campaign while recovering from a preseason shoulder injury, but came back strong to lead New England to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Parkhurst was voted to the 2007 Sierra Mist All-Star team as a First XI selection and also earned his first U.S. Men's National team cap during the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He is also a finalist for Defender of the Year, which will be announced on Monday.

He is a two-time MLS All-Star, and was the 2005 Gatorade Rookie of the Year and the 2006 U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year, as well.

Parkhurst was one of four members of the Revolution who are finalists for MLS end-of-season awards this year. Joining Parkhurst on the top-three lists were goalkeeper Matt Reis (Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year), Pat Noonan (Comeback Player of the Year) and Adam Cristman (Gatorade Rookie of the Year).

The Revolution finished second in the Eastern Conference and opened its two-game, total-goals series with the third-place New York Red Bulls last weekend. The teams played to a 0-0 draw at Giants Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 27, and play the return leg at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Saturday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and Fox Soccer Channel will televise the game nationally, including 30-minute pre- and post-game shows.

The Revs were the only higher-seeded team to earn a result in the first weekend of playoff action last weekend and are the only higher-seeded team that does not have to overcome a deficit in total goals this weekend in the concluding Game Two.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 31, 2007


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