A year ago, Michael Parkhurst was coming off a Rookie of the Year honor following a standout season in the middle of the New England Revolution back three. Following a disappointing loss in the MLS Cup Final to the Los Angeles Galaxy in extra time, the Rhode Island native received another recognition for the quality of his work over his freshman campaign, called into the U.S. national team camp by Bruce Arena for the first time.
After the exertions of his first year, however, when he played every minute of every league match for the Revolution, Parkhurst took it easy over the offseason. Consequently, when Arena's original group was affected by injuries and the then-coach was calling Parkhurst to invite him along as a replacement, his physical condition was not at a level sufficient to be able to accept the offer and do himself justice.
It was a small sign of things to come as the 2006 MLS season rolled around. A training ground collision with Shalrie Joseph led to a deep bruise on his right thigh that was ultimately diagnosed as a torn IT band on the outside of his right quadriceps. The injury meant that he missed much of the preseason and the opening two games of the regular season. When he did return, by his own admission, it took him some time to return to full fitness and form.
Happily for Parkhurst, those frustrations are now firmly behind him. Following those early-season problems, the cerebral stopper ended the season playing better than ever as the Revs' backline set a club record for fewest goals conceded. Opposing coaches looked to take advantage of a perceived weakness in Parkhurst by matching up taller, more physical strikers against him, but the Wake Forest alum shook them off with the cool composure that has become a hallmark of his game.
On Wednesday, Parkhurst's career path to the top of the game took another positive turn when he was told he would be a member of the USA's roster at January's training camp at The Home Depot Center. Typically, Parkhurst was understated about his response to the good news, though he admitted that this time around, he had thought about the chance of a call-up and had been preparing.
"I had been out doing some errands and I checked my e-mail and it was there. I was obviously thrilled. I was definitely hoping," Parkhurst said. "I've been running and in the gym knowing there would be a camp prior to the January 20 game. I was just hoping to get a call."
Having received the call, Parkhurst is not content to settle. The match he refers to is a friendly against Denmark and will be the USA's first under the tutelage of interim head coach Bob Bradley. Although this will be his first involvement with the senior squad, Parkhurst is keen to make an immediate impression.
"Everybody is starting fresh with a new coach and I want to go out there and prove myself and prove my worth," Parkhurst said. "Hopefully, I will put a good performance under my belt in the camp and fight for a spot on the roster for the game."
Although it will be a step into unknown territory for Parkhurst, he will have plenty of familiar faces around him when he heads out west in the New Year. Joining him in Carson will be four more Revs -- Clint Dempsey, Taylor Twellman, Pat Noonan and Matt Reis -- as well as D.C. United's Brian Carroll, a teammate at Wake Forest, and Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), with whom he played on the recent Generation adidas trip to England.
"Whenever you play around guys that you have played around before and that you are friendly with, it always helps your confidence," Parkhurst said. "The more guys you know, the easier it is to get into a rhythm."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
