D.C. United youth development director and former captain John Harkes will make his Major League Soccer coaching debut as an assistant to Bruce Arena with Red Bull New York, according to a source.
With the move, Harkes was expected to step down from his position with D.C. United and as a soccer analyst for Comcast SportsNet.
Harkes could not be reached for comment.
Arena, who ended an eight-year tenure as U.S.national team head coach last week, was announced as New York’s head coach and sporting director on Tuesday.
Harkes is originally from Kearny, N.J., and has played for Arena at Virginia, D.C. United and for the U.S. He becomes the third member of Arena’s coaching staff in New York, joining assistant coach Richie Williams and goalkeeping coach Des McAleenan.
MLS coaches often have one assistant and one goalkeeping coach, but as sporting director, Arena also will oversee every aspect of the Red Bulls’ soccer operations, including the first and reserve teams in MLS, and the club’s youth and academy programs.
“Bruce is going to turn that program around. He’s the right guy for the job and they’re very lucky to have him in that position,” said D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen, who has played under Arena and alongside Harkes, but never against either of them. “And John, John knows that area and he’s becoming a good coach in his own right.”
Harkes has expressed an interest in coaching an MLS team before; last year he sought the Columbus Crew head coaching job after the departure of Greg Andrulis.
In 13 years with the U.S. national team, Harkes made 90 appearances, scored six goals and played in three World Cups. After starring at Virginia, he played six years in England. In 1996, he returned to the United States to join United in MLS’s inaugural season. He spent three years with United, winning two MLS championships. He most recently did color commentary at the 2006 World Cup in Germany for ESPN.
United notes
» D.C. United midfielder Brian Carroll’s first goal of the season was named MLS goal of the week. Off a poor clearance, Carroll one-timed a ferocious shot from 25 yards that hit the underside of the crossbar in the 49th minute of Saturday’s 3-2 win over Columbus. The goal was just the second of Carroll’s career.
» Chances are unlikely for a friendly match between D.C. United and Spanish giants Real Madrid at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Aug. 9, according to United officials. Due to the timelines required, the plans for the match would need to be finalized by the end of this week.
