By Graig Carbino
ALBANY, NY (Apr 29, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- John Harkes has run the gamut when it comes
to professions in American soccer. He had a storied playing career that
took him to England and back and included 90 caps with the US Mens
National Team. After leaving the game in 2003 he worked in
broadcasting, within the DC United front office, and in New York as a
member of the Red Bulls coaching staff. He is back on television full
time calling prime time games for MLS every Thursday evening. I spoke
with him recently about his playing career, the National Team under Bob
Bradley, soccer broadcasting in America and more.
USSoccerPlayers: What was it like being the first American to go over and be successful in England? Did you feel like you had a responsibility to make it easier for other players to follow?
Harkes: Well the first part would be that it was incredibly exciting. At the time, when you’re younger you just look at it like it’s an opportunity and you don’t want to waste that. You want to make the best out of it. There was certainly a lot of challenges that I had to go through in terms of trying to prove myself, especially at that time when anyone coming from America was looked at as not being very good. It made it hard to succeed there but at the same time there was lot of good people that I encountered, first at Sheffield Wednesday. It was a great experience and a great opportunity so I was happy to prove myself to them, get the contract, and things went very well from then on.
The responsibility factor I think probably came a little bit later when you start to realize that hopefully it opens more doors for other players, and you take that responsibility on and you have to make sure that you hold yourself up well in the image of the US player on and off the field.
USSoccerPlayers: Did you feel like you had an obligation to return and help the league in it’s early days?
Harkes: Well at one point I thought that I would be over there for 10-12 years, obviously I was already at 6 going on 7. The opportunity to come back here arose and it was something that when I was younger I would always think about. Having a professional league in our own country and for my kids growing up to have that opportunity to be a pro in their own country. The main reason that I went overseas is because there was nothing here at that time.
I did feel a responsibility to come back. I talked to Sunil Gulati and Kevin Payne about their plans for the league and what was happening. It seemed exciting and I think that it was a good chance to be apart of that platform, that building block to help raise the league up and thankfully it worked out very well so I don’t have any regrets at all.
USSoccerPlayers: Most fans know about the situation in 1998 with the World Cup roster. Was there something maybe that you learned or the most important thing that you were able to take away from that whole experience?
Harkes: I think you learn from every experience everyday. I think there are some things that people are open to in terms of learning more than others. There are always going to be things that you come up against that are good and some that aren’t so good and you learn from them, you become stronger, and you move on. Things could have been handled a great deal better back at that time from all parties that were involved, US Soccer included.
USSoccerPlayers: What's your take on Bob Bradley?
Harkes: I think that you’re always just looking for a coach that can step in there and really steer guys in the right direction, keep things positive and develop players as well coming through the youth system. Someone that wants to take on the responsibility of winning things but also developing players and getting the ship righted and I think that Bob Bradley has done a good job at that.
USSoccerPlayers: Is there a player in the US National Team setup that you feel is crucial to the next World Cup for this team to be successful?
Harkes: I think that there a few guys depending on Bob Bradley’s setup. Take Landon Donovan who is such a young player still and has so many years in terms of experience playing in World Cups. I think the next one he kind of has to be able to really look back and say what have I learned? What can I accomplish here? What can I apply to this next World Cup and kind of step up and be a good leader for this team.
Another guy who has always been a tremendous leader and a great goal scorer as well is a guy like Brian McBride. There are a lot of things that people talk about in terms of age and whatever, but Brian comes back from injury at Fulham and is still scoring goals so there’s another guy that within the system is a fantastic player on and off the field and in the dressing room as well. If he’s around I’m sure Bob will lean on him. You can also look at Tim Howard in goal and I think this could be a good World Cup for Tim to shine and do well.
USSoccerPlayers: What are your expectations for the US Men’s Olympic Team?
Harkes: It’s so hard. People always ask can they do well? Is it a hard group? Every team that you compete against at that level is hard. They wouldn’t be there if they weren’t good. The focus and the intensity is so high that anybody can win on any given day. I do think that the US has set themselves up pretty well. They have a lot of talented players. Whether or not they jell together and play in sync is another thing. I hope they do. I think the expectations could be high but you don’t want to set that too early. From one game to the next I think that they can manage things.
It really depends also on who Peter brings in as his overage players. Brian McBride was one of those guys that were on my list of guys that would do a fantastic job. Landon is doing quite well with the Galaxy right now as well. You look at a goalkeeper like Tim Howard or Matt Reis with good experience that know the players as well. Maybe an outside back like Steve Cherundolo. Someone who can provide some type of defensive shape. Maybe even Jimmy Conrad as a center back. There are a lot of different players who can contribute to that team, it just depends on how Peter puts his shape together.
USSoccerPlayers: What’s it like being back in the broadcast booth again working with JP Dellacamera?
Harkes: It’s been fun, really enjoyable. I had a great experience with JP in the World Cup. We called 18 games together. We got to know each other very well. He’s excellent the way he approaches it and for me it just makes things easier. Obviously calling games you’re able to bring your knowledge to the table. There is always a fine balance that you look for in terms of educating the viewers that are out there but there is a core fan base in this country now that are so educated on the game.
I look at the international broadcasters and the way they cover the game, and other sports in America as well, and it just seems like there is a lot of talking going on. Sometimes it can just be a little bit too much. Sometimes you just have to let the game breathe and let the game play out and they don’t want to hear too much chatting. It’s important to give back to the game and make sure that the players on the field are the one’s being talked about, and why things happen, the little nuances in the game. That’s our job and I take full responsibility for that. Preparing is very important and that part of it I learned from JP as well.
USSoccerPlayers: Let's talk about the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Harkes: It was an incredible honor. There are so many legends of the game in the Hall of Fame and to be put up on that pedestal and to be respected for what I have done in my career was a tremendous honor. It was very exciting and it makes you feel good about what you have contributed over the years. A lot of sacrifice goes into it but it’s such an enjoyable game that it never becomes work it just becomes a labor of love.
It’s good to be recognized but it also gives you an opportunity to give back to the game in certain ways. Whether it be appearances with charities or working with kids and the youth development in this country. Overall it’s been a lot of fun. The Hall of Fame was a great recognition.
USSoccerPlayers: The Hall of Fame is in Oneonta, NY, not far from Albany which is were I live and grew up. What was it like to play professionally in Albany with the Capitals during the early part of your career?
Harkes: Playing for the Albany Capitals was interesting. I enjoyed it, I thought that it was fun. At that time it was kind of strange because we were just competing with the US team. We had all signed full contracts with them and it was after the Olympics in Seoul. I came back to UVA and the opportunity to kind of go full time with the US side came up. In between the qualification for the 1990 World Cup we really had no place to compete and do well. Playing with the Capitals was an opportunity for me to get some games in and I thought that it was great. A great franchise with good people up there. It was a good time playing with good players and I enjoyed it.
USSoccerPlayers: What do you do now in your spare time to get away from the game and relax?
Harkes: I just really enjoy being with my family. We’re a soccer family. My wife coaches two age groups for my daughters. My son is there with the U13’s so we keep busy with that stuff. It’s hard to get away from the game because we love it so much. We do family vacations to the beach and just really trying to relax and do different things as a family is important to us.
USSoccerPlayers: What was the hardest thing about retiring from the game as a player?
Harkes: Just that competition every single day. You become such a driven person and work so hard to keep your body in shape. The camaraderie as well within the dressing room, getting to joke around with players and competing with them everyday is tough to let go. The game is so beautiful that every time you see a ball out there it’s like a piece of candy, you have to go to it. I’m still kicking it around now whether I’m setting the goals up in the backyard and playing with my kids or just kicking it around with guys in the area. You miss it but at the same time I know that I was very fortunate to have a good career and so I had no regrets in walking away. It feels to walk away and be able to do other things now and be involved with soccer in different ways.
USSoccerPlayers: What would you want fans to remember about John Harkes as a player?
Harkes: Just that I was honest with a good work ethic. Had skill on the ball and always had a sense of humor. You never take yourself too seriously and I was lucky to be in the game. We’re servants of the game and that part of it is something that we’re always trying to pass on to our youth so that they can grow a great appreciation for it when they grow up and they respect the game.
Graig Carbino writes a weekly column for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at graiger11@yahoo.com
