< back to team staff NAME: John Harkes POSITION: Assistant Coach

John Harkes, a Kearny, NJ native, is entering his first full season as assistant coach after joining the Red Bulls in August 2006. He made 90 appearances with the U.S. Team from 1987-1999 and was a starting midfielder in both the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups. A veteran of 167 Major League Soccer matches, Harkes helped lead D.C. United to back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 1996 and 1997, while playing for current Red Bulls head coach Bruce Arena. He was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. Harkes also played under Arena at the University of Virginia from 1985-1987.

In addition to his international and MLS experience, Harkes spent seven seasons playing with four different clubs in England from 1990-1996 and 1998 (Sheffield Wednesday '90-'93, Derby County '94-'95, West Ham United '95-'96 and on-loan to Nottingham Forest '98). Since retiring, Harkes has worked as the Youth Developmental Director for D.C. United, as a soccer commentator for Comcast SportsNet and a color commentator for ESPN and ABC during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.