KICKIN' BACK with Michael Harrington

Wizards defender talks to MLSnet.com about his plans for the offseason, and more

MLSnet.com

Michael Harrington (center) had three assists for the Kansas City Wizards in 2009.

Michael Harrington was selected third overall in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by the Kansas City Wizards. Just three minutes into his first MLS game, Harrington scored his first goal and at the end of the season was named the team's Rookie of the Year. Throughout his three-year career with the Wizards, Harrington has scored 5 goals, had 9 assists and started 74 games. Harrington recently sat down for a Q&A with MLSnet.com. He also created his own photo gallery (view here). Enjoy kickin' back with Michael Harrington ...

Michael Harrington
Kansas City Wizards # 2
Defender / Midfielder
Born: January 24, 1986
Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina

Fun Facts
• Attended the University of North Carolina, and is a huge UNC basketball fan
• Favorite musical genre is country
• Nicknamed "The Baby"
• May be the best beatboxer in MLS
• Scored a goal just three minutes into his MLS career

1. After soccer what is your favorite sport to play?
I would have to say golf at this point. It's nice to go out on an off day and it's very relaxing. I'm not necessarily the best at it, but it's fun.

2. What/whose goal celebration is your favorite to date?
Well my favorite player is Thierry Henry. When he was at Arsenal I liked his celebration where he held his hand to his ear. He also did a slide on his knees to the corner which was pretty cool.

3. What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is definitely when you're in conversation with a girl via text message and she takes forever to respond. I don't know if that's because I'm having a problem with that right now or that's always been a pet peeve, but I can't stand it.

4. So you are having a problem with that right now? Yes I am. So for all the girls out there: Don't do it.

5. What was your favorite class you took for your exercise and sports science major?
I guess for my major it would be Anatomy. It's really interesting to see how the body is put together and how it works.

6. Rumor has it that you're working on your golf game. How's it going? Have you had any eagles or holes-in-one?
I have not. I'm far from making eagles. I'm still trying to work on par at this point. I haven't been able to play as much I've wanted to this year, but I'll definitely be practicing in the offseason.

7. What's your favorite family tradition?
I'd say Thanksgiving, just because of all the food. My dad's a really good cook, and being from North Carolina he chops up bar-b-q and we have a feast. It's just amazing. I stuff my face.

8. What is the most unusual thing you have ever had to eat?
I had alligator once, so that's pretty different I guess. It was pretty good ... tasted like chicken.

9. What's one thing you want to learn more about and why?
Looking back, I wish I would've majored in psychology because I'm very interested in it. I like to play poker a lot and psychology plays a decent role in poker. So I'd like to learn a little more about that and hopefully that could help my poker game.

10. What popular or trendy thing have you never really understood?
I haven't really caught on with the Twitter thing yet. I've seen some of the stuff that Chad OchoCinco says, which I think is pretty funny. But as far as updating everything you're doing every 5 minutes, I think that's pretty silly.

11. Share a funny story from your childhood with us ...
I had a rope, tied a slip-knot and put it on the stairs. I was sitting on the couch and I knew my dad was going to walk up the stairs. When I heard him on the steps, I pulled on the rope and could hear him fall down the stairs.

12. What plans do you have for the offseason?
I'll definitely head back home to North Carolina to visit family. I'm also thinking about going to Vegas. I feel like that's something I need to do as a young, single man. Overall I'll just travel around, visit friends here and there and just enjoy some time off.