Parkhurst hopes versatility leads him to World Cup

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) One ill-timed bout with the flu sure affected Michael Parkhurst's fortunes in a hurry with his new German club team, Augsburg.

The American defender made two appearances in February 2013, then missed two games while sick. When he returned, he only dressed three more times for the club and never got into another match during his year in Germany.

Now, Parkhurst is thrilled to be back in Major League Soccer with the Columbus Crew at age 30, and he reported to the U.S. World Cup training camp last week hoping to land a spot on Jurgen Klinsmann's 23-man roster headed to Brazil next month.

The 2005 MLS Rookie of the Year and `07 Defender of the Year with the New England Revolution, Parkhurst had established himself with Denmark's Nordsjaelland during 4 1/2 seasons starting in early 2009.