Wake Forest Athletics
Parkhurst Named MLS All-Star
7/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Former Demon Deacon great Michael Parkhurst was named an MLS All-Star, earning the honor for the fifth time in his career.
The Atlanta United captain has started 19 games as a center back this season for the expansion team.
Parkhurst was a two-time All-American at Wake Forest from 2002-04 before becoming a first-round draft pick in the MLS. In his career, he has been named MLS Rookie of the Year (2005) and Defender of the Year (2007), also making the All-Star Game in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2014. He played overseas from 2008-14.
The 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented will take place Aug. 2 at Chicago's Soldier Field when the league's best take on reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid.
Other former Deacons on the ballot included Ian Harkes, Jack Harrison and Ike Opara.
Harrison, a midfielder with New York City FC, ranks in the top 20 in the league in both goals (eight) and assists (five) in 19 appearances. A rookie with D.C. United, Harkes has notched a goal and an assist in 16 starts and leads all MLS rookies in minutes played. Opara is in his eighth MLS season and his fifth with Sporting Kansas City, where he's tallied two goals in 18 starts from the back line.
