John Harkes

Soccer Analyst

John Harkes, former U.S. Men’s Soccer National Team captain, officially joined ESPN in March 2007 as the lead soccer analyst for Major League Soccer telecasts and U.S. Men’s National Team matches, including the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.  Harkes made his ESPN debut in the summer of 2006 calling the FIFA World Cup matches on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC from Germany as a guest analyst.

Widely recognized as one of the most accomplished American-born soccer players ever, Harkes retired from professional soccer in 2003 after a thirteen-year international career that helped pave the way for other U.S. soccer players in Europe.  He was one of the first Americans to succeed at the highest levels in England, playing for five seasons in England (1991-’96) for Sheffield Wednesday.  Harkes was the first American (after Bill Regan 1948-’49) to appear at Wembley Stadium, eventually playing there for a U.S.-record six times, and was the first to score at the stadium.  In 1990, his 35-yard shot that whizzed past former English national team captain Peter Shilton was selected as England’s Goal of the Year.

A two-time FIFA World Cup veteran (1990 and 1994), Harkes was a fixture in the midfield for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, playing two games in the 1988 Olympics, before playing in all three of the U.S. team’s matches at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.  He was named captain of the team in 1995.  He also captained Major League Soccer’s D.C. United team to back-to-back MLS titles in 1996 and 1997, and to the 1998 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and Interamerican Cup championships.  During his MLS career, which also included stints with the New England Revolution (1999-2001) and the Columbus Crew (2001-2003), he scored sixteen goals with forty two assists in 167 appearances, and was a five-time MLS All-Star.

Following his retirement, Harkes became a regular presenter on Fox Sports World’s MLS Wrap, and he also served as the director of development at his former club, D.C. United.  In 2003 he was honored with a star at the U.S. Soccer Star Plaza at the Home Depot Center.  Harkes was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2005.  He also starred in the 2005 movie The Game of Their Lives as Ed McIlvenny, a film about the United States’ historic 1-0 victory over England in the 1950 World Cup.

Harkes attended the University of Virginia, and while there was honored with the Missouri Athletic Club Award as the top Division I college soccer player.

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