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John Harkes

Played In The Mls

When MLS began playing in 1996, Harkes was released by West Ham so he could return to the United States. He played for D.C. United, coached by Arena, and was named captain of both United and the U.S. national team. The amount of games Harkes had been playing began to catch up him. In 1996, he had some injury problems, primarily with his right ankle, which led to him to take a two-month hiatus from soccer in the MLS off-season in 1997. When Harkes returned, he had a great season in 1997, and D.C. United repeated as MLS champions. Harkes had a similar experience in 1998, though D.C. lost in the finals to the Chicago Fire.

Chronology

1967	Born March 8, in Kearny, New Jersey
1985-87	Plays soccer for the University of Virginia
1987	Plays for the U.S. team for the first time
1988	Plays for U.S. at the Summer Olympics
1990	Plays for U.S. in World Cup competition; sent to English Second Division's Sheffield Wednesday on loan from the U.S. Soccer Federation
1991	Signs three-year deal with Sheffield, which had made it to First Division; becomes first American to score in Wembley Stadium as part of English League; helps Sheffield win First Division title and promotion to English Premier League
1992	Marries Cindy; becomes first American to play in a UEFA Cup match
1993-95	Plays for Derby County (English League, First Division)
1994	Plays for U.S. team in World Cup competition
1995	Son Ian Andrew born
1995-96	Plays for West Ham United (English League)
1996	Plays for MLS (Major League Soccer)'s D.C. United—was team's captain
1997	Took two-month hiatus from soccer
1998	Dismissed from U.S. national team before World Cup begins
1999	Loaned to English Premier League's Nottingham Forest by D.C. United; returned to the United States, traded by D.C. United to New England Revolution (MLS); played for U.S. national team in Confederations Cup play
2000	Daughter Lilly Emiko born
2001	Traded to Columbus Crew (MLS) in May

Additional topics

Famous Sports StarsSoccerJohn Harkes Biography - Plays College Soccer, Joins English League, Played In The Mls, Chronology, Booted From U.s. Team - SELECTED WRITINGS BY HARKES: