It really doesn't matter how much sense this trade makes, or how good Pope and Moreno could be playing for us (and I believe they will be). Mike Petke was a true Metro, right from the moment he took the field and became one of the few bright spots in several godawful Metro sides of the late 90s. He's played more games for the Metros than anyone else, he's been as durable as a tank, he's taken ************ from no one (the 'Crime of the Century' shirt should stay up in Nathan Hale's forever), and even if he wasn't Franco Baresi or Roberto Carlos out there, he's been a good Metro and a good guy. I'm sad to see him go. Thanks, Mike.
I'm with Micheal K. Petke was the first American MLS player I ever took notice of. Sure he's had some bad moment with this team in the last two years (pushing people with his head) but he's been a great Metro "thru and thru". I wish him all the best. Hey Mike: To pay the fans back, just remember to do to Mathis and Moreno as you did for the rest of the MLS forwards in Giants Stadium in 2002.. nothing!
Exactly. Mike went through the tough times of this team, and helped them reach success. He's also responsible for bringing a lot people to the stands.
One regretable thing about this trade is that I think Petke would have blossomed under Bradley's leadership. I don't think Ray Hudson will bring out the best in him, but who knows? Good luck Mike! C in SJ
Yeah, best of luck to Mike. Great guy, great new yorker, great long island accent. I'll miss him, though not the girls in 133 who scream every time he executes a successful back pass to the Keeper. Thank you, Petke.
Thank you Mike for many years of hard and loyal service to Metro, but you're Scum now and may you suck badly in '03. Nothing personal you understand; it just goes with the shirt.
Falcon6, sounds like the yawn of someone just waking up. Petke was Metro and he did more than his fair share for the team and the fans. We've had so many pretenders wear the Metro shirt that it hurts to see the real article go. Thanks Mike. The League is the League and so now Petke has to go. Unfortunately, Obie is right. DC brings out the worst in everyone so we can only expect that Mike will degenerate to pond scum. Classic Greek tragedy.
Hi Mike, we miss you. Now you will be part of DC United, we wish you very best, and we will continue to watch you play at the MLS shootout package next season. I will say " good luck, kid" everytime you play.
With our luck, Petke will play inspired with DC United, get called up to the national team a few times and maybe even score a few goals. Stuff like that just always seems to happen to Metros for some unknown reason...
Thanks Mike. You a true Metro no matter what shirt you put on. When Oz put you in the middle it made you look bad. And your cards didn't help your image. You were great as an outside back and hopefully your career will pick up again when you get out of the center back position. Thanks again for all your effort, spirit and hard-nose play. You will be missed in MetroLand.
A true MetroStar who always gave his all. We will miss him when Moreno and Pope are both sitting with injuries orwhatever. Good luck Mike.
We can only hope that this trade turns out for the best. Mike was a true Metro and was with the team through the good times and the bad. Although, he was popular among preteen girls with his dyed bleach blonde hair, he will be sorely missed. Thanks Mike for being a great Metro, showing your Metro pride, fighting for what you believed in and coming to the Walsh Cups! ...I find it hard to believe that the Metros lost Petke, and gained 2 players who have been injured for the past 2 years, and Richie. Things change.
Thanks for bleeding red and black with us. 'course you realize, when you come home, you won't be welcome. Well, maybe the first game, for 2 minutes. Maybe. Nuthin' personal. I will cheer for you if you hit the Nats, though. Hope to see you there.
Mike, we miss ya. You know we gotta diss ya. Your playin' for the Scum, but we know you're not a bum 'cause you'll always be a Metro! You'll always be a Metro! Metro reject! Metro reject! He'll love it. Maybe he'll give us a wave -- and the finger. It's gonna be sad but fun.
I agree with most of what has been said. Mike had a sub par year, he was playing out of position. However, the things I will remember the most is how well he treated the fans. One of the nicest guys you will ever hope to meet. The first time I talked to him in person, was at a Metros meet the team. I walked up to the table he was at, at the time he was eating. He put down his food and stood up to shake my hand. Pure class. This is a league trying to grow the fan base. Quality of play is defintely the first criteria, but making your fans feel an affinity with the team is definitely high up on the list. The fact that he would get some bad cards during the year was a testimate to the passion he played with, which was in direct contrast to to others on the metros. I wish him well.
Mike is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I met him numerous times, but one in particular stands out. I was at the Garden State Mall (in Paramus, NJ) and it was the MetroStars contest for the national anthem. I wasn't participating, but I knew people who were and I walked up to him and said hello. He said hello back, we exchanged friendly hugs and had a short conversation and Billy Walsh (whom he still keeps in touch with) and the MetroStars. He talked to me, while his girlfriend waited. I thought that was nice of him-to talk to a fan, instead of shopping with his girlfriend. (Or is he married now...?)
Talk about MLS really screwing someone. Petke was offered five times what he was making to go to Germany. He said no, he wants to stay with the metros and this is the thanks he gets. We'll miss you Mike.