Michael Parkhurst recalls MLS Cup memories in Bobby Boswell podcast

On his new MLSPA podcast, Play By Play(ers), Atlanta United legend Bobby Boswell welcomed Michael Parkhurst as his second interview guest.

Parkhurst talked through his soccer career, with Boswell walking the listener through Parkie’s (or is it “Parky’s?”) many accomplishments. Along with his experiences with the 2008 Olympic team appearances and what it was like to captain two MLS clubs, the two old friends chatted about Parkhurst’s experiences playing the Champions League for Nordsjælland. It turns out Parkhurst was named to the Champions League Team of the Week after his small Danish club tied Juventus.

But when asked what he’d most like to be remembered for, Parkhurst was quick to point to his time in Atlanta:

“I’m thankful now I can be remembered as an MLS Cup champion. That’s evaded me for a long time and I’ve really wanted to have a championship to kind of, not validate the MLS career, but I would’ve always looked back at those missed opportunities a little bit more had I not won it [in 2018] and had another opportunity to do so [in 2019]. So MLS Cup champion.”

Atlanta United fans will always remember him as a champion, our first captain, an MLS All-Star in 2017 and 2018, and as mentor to teammates like Miles Robinson.

Personally, I’ll always remember how Parkhurst came back from a separated shoulder—at age 35 in his final season as a professional—after missing just one watch. I still want to know what they put in his sushi the night of the injury:

Thanks for the memories, Captain Atlanta!