MLS CUP / CHICAGO 2, D.C. UNITED 0

With his club coach, Bruce Arena, about to be named U.S. national team coach, Harkes is hopeful of a quick return to international soccer.

“Of course I want it,” said Harkes, who was cut from the U.S. squad two months before the World Cup by Steve Sampson. “If I get back on the national team, it will be an honor to put the shirt on. I’ll probably break out in tears.

“Bruce knows me very well. He knows what I’ve gone through and what disappointments I’ve had on the national team. He knows I have a lot of soccer in me and I’m still a leader. He knows I’m versatile--I can play central midfielder, left midfielder, right back.”

Harkes stopped short of saying he expected a national-team recall with Arena in charge.

“No,” he said. “After what I went through this year, you lose a lot of faith in people, people I worked hard for for a long time.

“For [Sampson] to do what he did to me, someone with no international experience to do that to someone with 11 years’ experience, is inexcusable.

“My wife is the only person I trust. She is probably the reason I’m still playing professionally this year.”