It was fitting that Michael Parkhurst was in the middle of an MLS Cup clinching play.
He heard too many celebrations from the wrong side of the locker room wall before. It hurts to listen as others hold the ultimate party.
Parkhurst, the Atlanta United defender, had tried four times with two different teams – all unsuccessful – to win a title.
That all ended Saturday.
Atlanta United defeated Portland, 2-0, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to win the MLS Cup. The franchise captured the championship in just its second season.
“I’ve dreamed of what it would feel like to be in the locker room with the champagne,” a soaked Parkhurst said. “I’ve heard it through the walls a couple times. It’s amazing.”
It was Parkhurst, of all players, who set up the first goal from Josef Martinez.
Portland’s Zarek Valentin tried to clear a ball near the goal line with a ball in the middle of the field intended for Jeremy Ebobisse. As Ebobisse tried to settle the ball, a hard-charging Parkhurst made a sliding tackle. The ball shot forward to Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez.
Martinez beat Liam Ridgewell to the ball, made a move to get Portland goaltender Jeff Attinella out of position and chipped the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 Atlanta United lead in the 39th minute.
“I just wanted to get pressure on him, not allow him to turn,” Parkhurst said of the pivotal play. “I’ve seen video that a lot of times he goes to that side because he’s got the left foot and likes to take it inside. From there, I just slid. Joseph did all the work from there. He does what he does best and that’s put it in the back of the net.”
Parkhurst did not get credit for an assist but he made the play that lead to Martinez’s 35 goal of the season and put Atlanta United in the driver’s seat.
Franco Escobar scored in the 54 minute to give Atlanta United the two-goal lead. Several players said the countdown of the final minutes was both ecstasy and agony. There was a celebration coming.
Parkhurst accepted the MLS Cup trophy from owner Arthur Blank following the presentation. The two shared a long embrace before Parkhurst joined his teammates on a podium for a continued celebration.
“I told him I love him,” Blank said. “ I don’t tell many people that I love them. …
“Michael represents the essence of this sport in a lot of ways. He has played forever, he has played at a very high level, he plays the game completely unselfishly, he’s an inspiration to the young players. He’s just a winner on the pitch, off the pitch, in the locker room. He’s a perfect captain.”
Parkhurst failed to win the MLS Cup three times with New England and once with Columbus. He was traded from Columbus to Atlanta United in Dec. 2016 to join the MLS expansion team.
Two seasons later, he lifted the MLS Cup trophy as a champion.
Finally.
- Staff writer Steve Hummer contributed to this story.
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