MLS New England Revolution

Revs' Parkhurst Wins MLS Visa Defender of the Year

November 5, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst won the 2007 Major League Soccer Visa® Defender of the Year on Monday, the League announced. The award is his second major award of the 2007 season and the fourth of his career. Last week, Parkhurst was awarded the MLS Fair Play Award.

The Visa Defender of the Year was determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers. Parkhurst was a finalist for the award with Houston's Eddie Robinson and Chivas USA's Claudio Suarez.

"I'm honored to be voted the league's defender of the year," Parkhurst said. "There are a lot of great defenders in this league so to be singled out is humbling. Both Claudio and Eddie had excellent years and were big components of their teams' success.

"Any defensive award is also a testament to the whole team, so my teammates - from the back to the front - are a big part of this honor," Parkhurst said.

Parkhurst, 23, a native of Cranston, R.I., and former Wake Forest University Demon Deacon, had an exceptional regular season in only his third year as a professional. The 2005 winner of the Gatorade Rookie of the Year award appeared as a First XI selection to the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star team where the MLS All-Stars defeated Celtic FC 2-0 on July 19. He played in and started 25 games at central defender for the Revolution, who finished in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 14-8-8 record.

Parkhurst missed the first three games of the season recovering from a preseason shoulder injury, but came back to anchor a defense that recorded 10 shutouts, and two more in their first two games of the MLS Cup Playoffs. His fine form since joining the League has also led to his inclusion as a member of the U.S. Men's National Team. He represented the United States in their victorious run in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

His hard work on defense led to one of the most spectacular goals of the season. In the Revolution's final game of the regular season, Parkhurst intercepted a pass in the Revolution's defensive end and fired a shot from his team's own half more than 60 yards over the head of Toronto FC goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos and into the Toronto FC net. It was the first shot of Parkhurst's career in 87 games played and the first goal.

In addition to his 2005 Gatorade Rookie of the Year honor, Parkhurst is a two-time MLS All-Star and also won the 2006 U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year.

Parkhurst and the Revolution return to action on Thursday, Nov. 8, when they play in their MLS-record sixth consecutive Eastern Conference Championship. The Revs will host the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium, and ESPN2 will begin its live coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET. The WEEI Radio Network will also carry the game live. Tickets are available by calling 1-877-GET-REVS or through Ticketmaster outlets.

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