“I want to get him more time because he deserves it,” de Boer said.

De Boer said that the coaching staff has spoken to Parkhurst twice during this stretch to thank him for his continued leadership in training and in the locker room.

“Everyone has a lot of respect for him,” de Boer said.

After last week’s win against Club America in the Campeones Cup, Jeff Larentowicz, who was the captain for the game, offered Parkhurst the chance to lift the trophy first because he said he “is the captain. Period.” Parkhurst declined, giving Larentowicz the honor.

The team held a 11 vs. 11 scrimmage Wednesday featuring many of the non-starters and some Atlanta United 2 players. De Boer said he wanted players such as Parkhurst, Mo Adams and Hector Villalba, those whose minutes have been limited recently, to stay sharp.

“Hopefully they can make some minutes with the first team,” de Boer said. “We can need them at any moment. The roster will decide if you will be on top at the end of the season.”