Feb. 8, 2000 – John Harkes reports to Revolution camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Former U.S. national team captain John Harkes played an important role as the New England Revolution compiled their first .500 record for an MLS regular season in 2000. But after the Revolution got off to a six-game losing streak in 2001, Harkes departed for Columbus. Harkes finished with two goals in 55 appearances for the Revolution.

The Revolution team that began the 2000 season included several players who went on to become coaches, Leonel Alvarez (Colombia) and Mauricio Wright (Costa Rica) winning championships. Harkes made his coaching debut with FC Cincinnati last year, guiding the team to third place in the Eastern Conference.

Things seemed promising when Harkes arrived for training camp. My story in 2/9/2000 editions of the Boston Globe:

HARKES DEALING WITH IT

HE JOINS TEAM; TALK OF PACT CONTINUES

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – John Harkes is still negotiating to renew his contract with Major League Soccer. But he reported to Revolution training camp yesterday and anticipates playing an important part with the team, starting with tonight’s exhibition game against Chicago at Lockhart Stadium.

Harkes apparently is balking at accepting a salary lower than the $250,000-plus he has received since becoming one of the first US players to join MLS in 1996. But coach Fernando Clavijo and managing director Sunil Gulati have said they would accept Harkes only at a reduced rate, to make available theoretical salary cap space.

“I came here for the good of the club and to be with the players,” said Harkes, whose contract expired last month. “Hopefully, a deal will be worked out that I am happy with.

“But I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t optimistic. I have trained with the national team for three weeks and I am fit and strong. I’m looking forward to being with the Revolution and working with Fernando.

“The way Fernando has handled the team is a lot better than it was in the past. We have the core of players who were here last year, who proved they can perform in certain games, and we’ve added to it with Mauricio Ramos and Eduardo Hurtado.”

Harkes remains an alternate with the US national team, which will meet Haiti at the Orange Bowl Saturday. He played the second half of the 2-1 win over Chile in Coquimbo Jan. 29 and hopes to regain a regular role with the team.

Though Clavijo insists no starting positions are set, Harkes clearly expects to be a Revolution starter and has the requisite credibility and personality, with more than 300 professional games in England and the US. And Harkes seems further motivated because his role with the Revolution would be similar to his role with the US.

“I understand his situation very well and he understands the situation,” Clavijo said. “He is bringing a great attitude to camp and he is ready to work. He has the character we need on this team. We have a national team member who is almost an icon for soccer in America.

“But competing for playing time on the field is a complete different thing. There are no guaranteed positions. Everyone will have the same chance and they all know that.”

But icons and even quasi-icons expect preferential treatment. This can be used to the team’s advantage but can become a high- maintenance situation. Previous Revolution coaches struggled with Alexi Lalas, who had an even higher profile than Harkes but of whom less was expected on the field.

“John can play a supporting defensive midfield role,” Clavijo said. “That is where he should be playing at this time in his career and he feels comfortable doing it.

“We have a midfield packed with good quality right now. We have different choices at that position – Carlos Parra, Ivan McKinley, Rusty Pierce, Paulo Dos Santos – depending on whether we need team speed or pressure. We will place the best team we have on the field.”

Clavijo is setting up the Revolution to play through Leonel Alvarez and Mauricio Ramos in midfield.

“I enjoy being in the center of the field,” Harkes said, “where you need someone to make good decisions and with passing ability and to be a leader, to hold the team together.

“You don’t know what you have until you get on the field. I don’t think we will have a style of play for a month or so.”

The Revolution begin the MLS season at Miami March 18.

Two defenders joined the Revolution on tryouts: Italian Nicola Innocentin, 22, and Chilean Adolfo Ovalle, 29, formerly of Universidad de Chile and Santiago Wanderers. Innocentin, who played for Ancona and Rimini, qualifies as a junior international.

TODAY IN NE SOCCER HISTORY