Michael Harrington

Biography

A former Tar Heel and two-time All-ACC defender, Michael Harrington enters his eighth season on the sidelines at his alma mater for the 2026 season. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by Kansas City, Harrington enjoyed a 12-year professional career before retiring in 2018. He was selected as an alternate for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and participated in the full National Team Training Camp in January 2014 as the United States prepared for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. During his playing career at North Carolina, Harrington was a four-year starter and started in 81 of the 82 matches in which he played. He helped lead the Tar Heels to the postseason in all four years, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals during his junior season in 2005. As a senior in 2006, he was named first-team All-ACC as a defender while starting 19 games and recording one goal and four assists. His breakout campaign came one year prior when he switched from midfielder to outside back and was an immediate impact in the lineup. He started all 24 games his junior season, was named second-team All-ACC and tabbed an NSCAA/adidas All-South Region player. Prior to his junior campaign, he played defense for the U.S. U20 National Team at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland. Harrington was also named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2003 when he started all 20 matches for the Tar Heels in midfield in addition to being named to the All-Tournament team at the Nike Carolina Clas