ALL_ACCESS WITH MICHAEL PARKHURST

For MLS 2007 Defender of the Year Michael Parkhurst, playing for the U.S. National Team is the ultimate payoff for a dream that began as a kid supporting his hometown team. The Rhode Island native has shaken off concerns about size and speed by employing the tools of intelligence and anticipation to become one of the premier centerbacks in the league. Getting two caps during the Gold Cup winning run this past summer, Parkhurst hopes to parlay his skills and success in MLS to an increased presence in the national team fold as World Cup qualifying rapidly approaches. In this exclusive interview with ussoccer.com, Parkhurst spoke of his first experience with the full team, his increasing confidence and comfort as a 'cerebral' defender, and the challenge of being a professional athlete as well as a new husband. Gain some some fresh insight into this promising center back in the latest addition of U.S. Soccer's all_access video.