Background
Durgan was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington where he attended Stadium High School.
Durgan was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington where he attended Stadium High School.
After graduating, Durgan turned professional with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League (), debuting in April 1980. In his first year in the league he started 28 of the Cosmos" 32 regular games. In 1982, he was selected as a second team All Star.
In 1983, the United States. Soccer Federation attempted to create a more successful United States. national team by entering the team into the as a franchise, known as Team America.
USSF then invited players from throughout the, Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and American Soccer League to leave their teams to play for Team America. Although he expressed doubts about the new team, Durgan left the Cosmos and signed with Team America, who he captained.
Many top players stayed with their previous clubs, something Durgan criticised, saying "let them come and help. You have to get off the fence." Team America ended the season at the bottom of the league and when USSF pulled the national team from the at the end of the 1983 season, Durgan rejoined the Cosmos.
In May 1984, the Cosmos asked Durgan and two other players to take a 20% pay cut, and another to take a 45% pay cut.
When they refused to accept the cuts the team waived them, and then re-signed Durgan and two other players for less pay after the other eight teams in the declined to sign them under the terms of their original contracts. When the league folded after the 1984 season, the Cosmos moved to the MISL, but did not make it through the end of the 1984-1985 season before folding. When the Cosmos collapsed, Durgan moved back to the Seattle area to sign with the semi-professional in the MISL on May 20, 1985, and he captained the team
Seattle coach Bruce Rioch released Durgan from the team on July 29, 1985, after an incident involving a tackle with Canadian player John Catliff.
Durgan earned seven caps with the United States. national team between 1983 and 1985. He scored one goal. He was also part of the United States. Olympic team at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Los Angeles
Due to a leg injury he only played in the third match, against Egypt, and had to retire in the first half. The game was a 1-1 draw and ended the United States."s progression in the tournament.
Durgan was named 46th of the top 50 athletes of the 20th century from Washington State by Sports Illustrated.