Parkhurst named 1st captain in Atlanta United franchise history

Atlanta United named its very first captain Friday, with defender Michael Parkhurst given the armband by head coach Gerardo Martino to become the franchise's first skipper ahead of its inaugural 2017 MLS campaign.

Parkhurst, 33, joined the club in December by way of a trade with Columbus Crew SC and brings with him plenty of MLS experience, having played in the league for eight seasons, both for Columbus and the New England Revolution.

Parkhurst has made 236 total appearances in MLS, scoring just one single goal for the Revs in 2007.

His Atlanta teammates kick off their inaugural campaign on Sunday, March 5 at home against the New York Red Bulls.