Full name Jeff Parke Name Jeff Parke Salary 185,325 USD (2012) Playing position Role Soccer Player Education Drexel University | 2000–2003 Drexel Dragons Height 1.85 m Parents Jeff Parke, Carol Parke Years Team Weight 84 kg | |
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Date of birth (1982-03-23) March 23, 1982 (age 33) Place of birth Downingtown, Pennsylvania, United States Current team D.C. United (#2 / Defender) | ||
Union defender Jeff Parke discusses playing soccer at Downingtown HS.
Jeff Parke (born March 23, 1982) is a former American soccer player.
Contents
- Union defender Jeff Parke discusses playing soccer at Downingtown HS
- Professional career
- International
- Drug controversy
- New York Red Bulls
- Seattle Sounders FC
- References
Professional career
Parke played for powerhouse youth club FC Delco, and played four years of college soccer at Drexel University, before being drafted by the MetroStars with 60th and last overall pick of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. He played in the 2005 pre-season, scoring the game-winning goal against Norway's Viking FK in the 2005 La Manga Cup, which helped him earn a starting spot on the MLS team. He remained an important part of the team's defense in 2005 and 2006, quickly becoming one of the team's stalwarts on the back line. In 2006, he started a career-high 31 games, was named Red Bulls' Ironman of the Year for logging in a team-high 2,771 minutes, and was named Co-Unsung Player of the Year by members of the soccer media, sharing that honor with Seth Stammler. In 2007 Parke continued to be a fixture in the Red Bull lineup, appearing in 28 matches including 27 starts. In 2008, he appeared in 24 league matches for New York Red Bulls.
On November 26, 2008, Parke was selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the third round of the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft but he chose not to sign with Seattle. Instead, on March 31, 2009 Parke signed a one-year contract with Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division.
In May 2010, Parke did sign with Seattle. He remained with the club for three seasons and was voted Seattle's defender of the year in both 2011 and 2012. In December 2012, Parke was traded to his hometown side Philadelphia Union in exchange for a 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft pick and allocation money.
On January 14, 2014, Parke was traded to D.C. United in exchange for Ethan White.
International
On January 5, 2012 Parke was called into camp for the U.S. Men's National Team in preparation for friendly matches against Venezuela and Panama. He made his international debut against Panama, coming on in the 55th minute for Chris Wondolowski after Geoff Cameron received a red card.
Drug controversy
On October 16, 2008, Parke, along with goalkeeper Jon Conway, was suspended for 10 matches each and fined 10 percent of their annual salaries after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug. Parke and Conway tested positive for androstatriendione (ATD) and boldenone metabolites, two banned performance-enhancing substances, after taking an over-the-counter supplement they purchased at The Vitamin Shoppe. The suspensions are currently the longest in MLS history.