John Harkes Biography

1967-

American soccer player

American soccer player John Harkes was one of the first to play professional soccer in Europe, primarily in the English League. He was also a member of the U.S. national team for many years, and when professional soccer came to the United States in 1996, he played in Major League Soccer (MLS). Harkes was a midfielder, but played other positions when needed.

Harkes was born on March 8, 1967, in Kearny, New Jersey, the son of two Scottish immigrants. His father, James Harkes, had been a soccer player himself with the Dundee Juniors in Scotland. Harkes was an enthusiastic soccer player from his youth. In the 1970s, he was a ball boy for the New York Cosmos of the professional North American Soccer League, and aspired to play for them someday.

SELECTED WRITINGS BY HARKES:

(With Denise Kiernan) Captain For Life and Other Temporary Assignments, 1999.