Parkhurst Named Defender of the Year

Revs' Back Earns Top Honor in Third Year

November 6, 2007

Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst was named the MLS Visa Defender of the Year Monday in voting determined by the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

The 23-year-old Parkhurst beat out Houston’s Eddie Robinson and Chivas USA’s Claudio Suarez for the honor. He is the first Revolution player to ever capture the top defender honor.

The Revs' Michael Parkhurst won the 2007 MLS Defender of the Year.

A native of Cranston, R.I., Parkhurst had an exceptional third year in the league, appearing as a First XI selection to the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star team and starting 25 games at central defender for the Revolution, who finished in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 14-8-8 record.

Parkhurst missed the first three games of the season recovering from a preseason shoulder injury, but came back to anchor a defense that recorded 10 shutouts and allowed 43 goals, sixth best in the league. His fine play also earned him a nod for the U.S. Men’s National Team, where he represented the United States in their victorious run in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Parkhurst was also named the MLS Fair Play Award winner last week and his 60-yard bomb against Toronto in the Revs’ last game of the season was nominated for MLS Goal of the Year.

In other awards announced Monday by MLS, Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson was named the Comeback Player of the Year and Brian Hall was honored as the 2007 Official Sports International (OSI) Referee of the Year.

All-Time MLS Defender of the Year Winners:

2007: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution
2006: Bobby Boswell - D.C. United
2005: Jimmy Conrad - Kansas City Wizards
2004: Robin Fraser - Columbus Crew
2003: Carlos Bocanegra - Chicago Fire
2002: Carlos Bocanegra - Chicago Fire
2001: Jeff Agoos - San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Peter Vermes - Kansas City Wizards
1999: Robin Fraser - Los Angeles Galaxy
1998: Lubos Kubik - Chicago Fire
1997: Eddie Pope - D.C. United
1996: John Doyle - San Jose Earthquakes