TheOffside Interview: Mike Petke

By: Dave Martinez | May 13th, 2009

Mike Petke, the centerback for the New York Red Bulls, is a bit of a folk hero around these parts. Petke became a beloved figure for his promise of revenge after Tampa Bay Mutiny player Mamadou Diallo kneed Metrostars keeper Mike Ammann in the rib cage and stepped on his face in the moment forever etched in Metro Bull history as “The Crime of the Century.” Since then, Petke could do no wrong.

His arrival to the Red Bulls was celebrated at Nevada Smiths earlier in the year by 100’s of RB faithful. But already 8 games into the season, Petke has only seen the pitch twice, starting once at home and on the road.

I had a chance to catch up with Petke and ask him his thoughts on the Red Bulls current form, and his return home:

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DAVE: If one thing was made perfectly clear this weekend, it has to be “Petke = Wins.” Thoughts?

MIKE PETKE: If Petke equals Wins, then I would have 12 MLS Cup rings…

What was the biggest difference in the teams turnaround this week? Besides you of course . . .

Partnering Mac Kandji up front with JPA really made a difference. Even though we have pushed our outside midfielders up top like wingers in past games, JPA has pretty much been alone up there. It doesn’t matter how great a player JPA is, you can’t expect him to do the work of 2 for 90 minutes. Albert Celades was another huge difference. He makes the game look so easy to play.

This was your first start at Giant Stadium in over 6-7 years. Though it may have taken a bit longer than you would have liked, what was the experience like for you?

It was great to suit up for NY again after all these years. My career has come full circle and I am very happy about that.

Though you were part of a successful win, the season hasn’t started out as you had planned, watching a lot of games from the bench. How disappointed, if at all, are you with your lack of playing time this season?

Of course I have been unhappy with my lack of playing time. As a highly competitive person it has been tough to swallow. But Coach Osorio is going to make the decisions that HE feels are right. The one thing that I wasn’t going to do was go into his office everyday to bitch and complain because the Red Bulls are much bigger than Mike Petke. That’s not to say that I didn’t have a few talks with him. I just kept working hard in practice and was happy to get the start against SJ, because I earned it.

How painful was sitting out the DC game?

Sitting out the DC game wasn’t any more painful than sitting out the other games. I want to be a part of every game, scrimmage and competition that we have.

Was it a tactical decision to sit you or were you chained up in Osorios doghouse?

What I was told by coach is something between him and I, although I can say that I am not aware of any Dog House.

Do you see yourself picking up more starts again after this weekend?

I hope I am starting this weekend but as I said before, coach Osorio is going to do what HE feels is best for the team. At the end of the day I may not like the decision but that is how life is sometimes.

Finally, what is it going to take to sustain a winning culture throughout this season for the Red Bulls?

I don’t feel that there is any secret ingredient to winning. As long as every player on the team is committed to playing their role, and not taking any short cuts or making excuses, then winning should come. The minute that players look for shortcuts, or pass off responsibility, or more importantly do not give everything they have for the team, that is when the downfall comes.

(Photo by Robert Giroux/Getty Images)