New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst came into the CONCACAF Gold Cup without any permanent allegiance for his international career.
He could leave it with a blossoming career with the United States after making two appearances in the first round.
"It's been awesome," Parkhurst said. "Coming into the tournament, I wasn't sure how much time I'd get. It's been a dream start to my international career."
The dream start included his first international appearance against Trinidad and Tobago, ending any chance that Parkhurst would pursue an international career with Ireland. Parkhurst holds dual U.S. and Irish citizenship, but now having appeared for the USA in an official competition, he cannot appear for Ireland.
"Ireland was going to be a choice down the road for me," Parkhurst said. "I've been able to get in here and get my feet wet."
Bradley called Parkhurst's debut "solid, smart and steady" and handed Parkhurst another start in the final group game against Guatemala when Carlos Bocanegra was one caution away from suspension.
"You always want to get in the game," Parkhurst said. "Carlos Bocangera had a yellow card and Bob didn't want to risk him being out for the quarterfinals. I was thrilled to get in the game."
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol was impressed with how Parkhurst has handled himself as he started his international career.
"He makes his debut and it looks as though he'd been there for some time," Nicol said. "It didn't look like his first game. It was just a like a glove on a hand."
Nicol, a former Scottish international defender, said that he did not weigh down Parkhurst with any advice before he left to join the national team.
"I told him to go play and do what he does," Nicol said. "Why change it?"
Parkhurst said he approached his maiden voyage with the national team in a similar fashion.
"You try to do what you've been successful in doing," Parkhurst said. "There are some differences, with the Revs playing three at the back and the United States playing four at the back and the pace of the game. You have to be mentally sharp for 90 minutes."
Some skeptics wondered whether or not the lithe Parkhurst would have the physical assets to play center back at the international level.
"I think until you work with him, you don't realize how smooth he is," Nicol said.
Parkhurst believes that his style of play compensates for his lack of prototypical size and makes it possible for him to continue his success in the nascent stages of his international career.
"It's a combination of things," Parkhurst said. "I try to intercept a lot of passes before they reach the forwards. I don't have the physical tools to dominate a player on that level. Look at how [U.S. national team defender Oguchi Onyewu] gets called for some fouls just because he's big. I don't have to worry about that."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
