John Harkes

John Andrew Harkes was born on March 8, 1967, in Kearny, New Jersey, a town recognized for its strong soccer background. He started his soccer career playing youth and high school soccer alongside future national team members Tony Meola and Tab Ramos. Harkes graduated from Kearny High School in 1985, having played in four New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association championship matches and leading his team to an undefeated 24–0 record and the 1984 Group 4 State Championship. He was also recognized as the 1984 Parade High School Player of the Year. He continued his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Virginia, where his performance earned him first-team All-American honors in 1986 and 1987, and the Hermann Award in 1987, signifying him as the best player in U.S. colleges.

Harkes made a significant move to English football in 1990, joining Sheffield Wednesday. He became the first American to play in the English Premier League. During his time there, he achieved English football’s “Goal of the Season” award for a 35-yard shot against Derby County. He also made history as the second American to play at Wembley Stadium when Sheffield Wednesday reached the 1991 League Cup final, where they defeated Manchester United. In 1993, Harkes became the only American to score in a League Cup Final, despite a loss to Arsenal. He also played in the FA Cup Final that year, again losing to Arsenal. After a period with Derby County and a loan to West Ham United, Harkes returned to the United States to join Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1996. He was allocated to D.C. United, becoming the team’s first player, and led them to two MLS Cup titles in 1996 and 1997, and a U.S. Open Cup title in 1996. In 1998, he helped D.C. United win the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and the Interamerican Cup.

Throughout the 1990s, Harkes was a consistent presence in the U.S. national team midfield. He participated in two FIFA World Cup tournaments in 1990 and 1994. In the 1994 World Cup, a cross from Harkes contributed to an own goal by Andrés Escobar in a match against Colombia. In Copa América 1995, he guided the U.S. team to a semi-final appearance, including a 3-0 upset of Argentina, and was named co-Most Valuable Player of the tournament. After his playing career, Harkes transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant with the New York Red Bulls from 2006 to 2007. He then became the first head coach for FC Cincinnati in the United Soccer League from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, he took on the role of first head coach and sporting director for Greenville Triumph SC, leading them to a USL League One Championship in 2020 and earning the USL League One Coach of the Year award. He also worked as a color commentator for ESPN’s coverage of MLS and U.S. international matches.