Former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder John Harkes’ playing credentials are well known: first American to play in the English Premier League, two FIFA World Cup teams, two MLS Cups with D.C. United and 2005 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, just to skim the surface.
Now the 48-year-old New Jersey native is taking on a new challenge as he prepares for his first professional head coaching position. Harkes will take the reins of expansion FC Cincinnati when the club debuts during the 2016 USL season.
“It’s a special time to be a head coach in the USL and grow this team from the ground up,” Harkes said of the club, which was unveiled Wednesday as the league’s 26th franchise. “It’s an exciting challenge for everybody.”
In the past several months, Harkes grew impressed with the backing behind FC Cincinnati and knew it was an opportunity he wanted to pursue.
“In my initial conversations with Cincinnati, I saw the strength of the ownership group and thought this was an attractive opportunity,” Harkes said. “Over the course of a few months, I was able to get out to Cincinnati, meet with [FC Cincinnati President and General Manager] Jeff Berding and talk about the ownership group. We all know the USL is a rapidly growing league and a competitive league. Once those conversations started I just wanted to be a part of it and grow this product. This is a special time for the people here.”
Following his illustrious playing career, Harkes has stayed incredibly active in the game, whether it is coaching or on the broadcasting side. He has most recently served as a technical advisor for McLean Youth Soccer in northern Virginia, coaching with their U-17s since January.
“There are certain times where you’re looking for a challenge, and coaching has always been No. 1 for me,” Harkes said. “I was with the media for a period of time, a technical director at D.C. United and developing that program, and had the chance at the Red Bulls to work with Bruce Arena for two seasons, coached with Sigi Schmid at the U-20 World Cup. You take in all those experiences along the way. It’s great to teach the kids in these moments. It’s pretty rewarding to see players develop.”
Harkes has received a wealth of coaching influence and support, including a pair of former U.S. Men’s National Team head coaches in Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena.
“There’s a lot,” Harkes said. “You take something from every experience. I got a phone call from Bob Bradley who’s very supportive. Anyone I’ve worked with on the staff with D.C. United or knew from the University of Virginia, Bruce Arena, Dave Sarachan – they all have an influence in the game.
“Certainly soccer’s a small world where everybody knows everyone across the board,” Harkes said. “I’ve had many conversations. I spoke with Preki about the challenges and the competitiveness. The league’s growth in the last three or four years has been incredible, and the relationship with MLS just shows the direction of where the USL is going.”
Harkes had an exemplary career for club and country. He spent the better part of the 1990s in England, playing for Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County, followed by loan stints at West Ham and Nottingham. He also played a part in Major League Soccer’s early years, earning back-to-back MLS Cups with D.C. United in 1996 and 1997, followed by a stretch with the New England Revolution and Columbus Crew SC.
For a 14-year stretch, Harkes represented the U.S. MNT, logging 90 appearances (currently 19th on the all-time list) while contributing 11 assists (tied for 11th all-time) and six goals.
Harkes’ extensive background as a player has served him well in reaching to players he has helped develop on the coaching side, and he expects that connection to carry over to the next generation of USL players at Cincinnati.
“In terms of gaining experience along the way, all those moments I’ve taken in have been huge,” Harkes said. “Also with the different levels you coach at – and I’ve coached at all different levels – you understand the different landscapes, whether that’s coaching at a U-20 World Cup, professionals with the Red Bulls or being around D.C. United. I’ve drawn from those landscapes that have encompassed my career.”
For the coming months, Harkes’ focus is on formulating and organizing the corps that will represent FC Cincinnati in the USL next season.
“We’re moving forward with scouting and building this team and putting the pieces of the puzzle together,” Harkes said. “It will take a while and will require some patience through the process – budgets, player availability, a lot of travel and seeing games. It will be important to know the players we’re thinking about signing to form the makeup of this team.”
Harkes is looking forward to the potential rivalries and adding to the USL’s history. With current expansion sides such as nearby Louisville City FC and Saint Louis FC, Harkes has taken in the landscape and will now form his own blueprint for FC Cincinnati to create its stamp in this budding league.
“It’s been tremendous seeing the expansion of the USL,” Harkes said. “I’ve covered it obviously, being on the media side, and learning about the teams, the style of play. I love to study the game. I’ve been a student of it. I’m very much aware of the history of the game, whether it’s the old schools such as Charleston and Rochester, or the Louisvilles of the world, the MLS affiliates and standalone teams. There will be more expansion, and it’s a competitive league. Ultimately we want to compete with the Rochesters, Louisvilles and Charlestons and field a team that the city will be proud of.”