John Harkes is one of the greatest soccer players
ever produced on American turf. He is a veteran of 1990 and 1994 World
Cups and started 16 times for the USA team during 1996. His first birth on
the US national team was in 1987, and he has been involved on the national
scene ever since. He began all eight CONCACAF World Cup qualifying games
for the U.S. team in 1989. He started all three games for the USA in the
1990 World Cup in Italy. In total, he has made more than 86 appearances and
scored 8 times for the US team.
Harkes, a native of Kearny, New Jersey and 3 time MLS Allstar captained the
MLS
franchise
D.C. United in 2 MLS Cup victories, and led United to victory at the 1998
Interamerican Cup Championships. In fact,.during his career Harkes
not only captained D.C. United, but wore the coveted arm-band while serving
the U.S. National squad.. He was named MVP of the 1992 U.S. Cup scoring two
goals on the team's road to the championships. His list of accomplishments
could probably fill this page include, being Co-MVP of the Copa America
Championships in 1995 and ACC Player of the year while at Virginia in 1987,
etc. . However, Harkes currently plays for New England Revolution.
When qualification time comes for World Cup 2002 it's our quess that you'll
see a superbly conditioned Harkes serving as an integral component of the
US team ,and doing so well into the new millennium.
Below, Harkes tells us what it feels like to be back in action with the US
National team. He gives his opinion of what will believes is necessary
for the continuing growth of US Soccer. In addition, he speaks about the
impact of Women's World Cup on US Soccer and shares his thoughts with regard
to which US female player was most impressive (to him) during recent Women's
World Cup. So sit back and relax, take another a sip of that coffee,
and listen intently to America's fabulous John Harkes.
Interview Below
Q:
How does it feel being back in the swing of things playing with the US National
team?
A: Good, very good, but it's alot of hard work. Playing again with
the US team recently was great for me. It gave me an opportunity get me back
into my game again, playing fast, a chance to re-sharpen my skills. It's
been a real challenge because every single second the field whether it's
training or playing (the game) we work really hard as a team. But I'll tell
you, it's a great feeling being wanted again.
Q: Do you harbor any negative feeling about what occurred during the last
World Cup?
A: It bothers me that we and the federation allowed what occurred. We
allowed a guy to come in with no experience and upset the team so much, to
set soccer back like he did. It was a travesty. We're trying to, and
we've done a great job of erasing World Cup 1998 already. It's over...that's
in the past. We've progressed and gone forward. Bruce Arena has done
a great job with us and as a result we've played well.
Q: It appears that MLS soccer has somewhat declined in interest. Do
you believe this is the case and if so why?
A:
No, no, no I don't think the MLS is declining in interest. You guys
(the press) are seeing a decline first-hand here at Giant Stadium,
but our fan base has been at an average of 17,000 this year which has been
only a drop of about 5 or 6 hundred but we've got to play well. The
product is good on the field. We talked about it earlier, Don
Garber (above right w/ Stuart Subatnick) has come in as the new
commissioner and one of the things he said he has is do is to start marketing
the teams better and that's exactly right. He's got the right idea!
Marketing the American players that are based here, and making sure
that the people know who they are through increased television coverage.
Another thing is that we are out there working our tails to get out, and
appear before the public as much as we can but what we need is a players
union. From day one that should have been established.
Q: What do you believe will be the impact Women's World Cup and women's soccer
in general will have on the American public?
A: I think that the Women's World Cup has heightened the awareness of soccer
again in this country. It's great that the women's team won the World
Cup but whether our women or men win everyone benefits from our win in
this sport. The Women's World Cup has raised the level of awareness
of the sport in general . You know media people who keep comparing the women
with the men's team but you really cannot compare the two because the
games are on a different level.
Q: Is there any one player in the World Cup that made the most impression
on you?
A: We'll ,they were all great players but for me Kristine Lilly really
stood out. She dedicated herself to the game day in and day out, and
played really well every single game. She is a tremendous athlete. Obviously
Mia Hamm is a very dedicated and talented player as well.