MetroFanatic: Jeff, you played a lot as a rookie last year, and right now, you could be a leader of the defense.
Jeff Parke: A little bit, but we got the leadership of Leitch and Agoos back there. I'll let them direct me, and maybe take a little of a bigger role this year, help the team out more, and be more of a voice.

MF: You and Michael had a trial with Heerenveen. How did that go?
JP: It was good...

MF: Are they gonna sign you?
JP: No. (laughs) We're gonna stay here.

MF: Because their coach said on their website that he's ready to offer you a contract when the window opens.
JP: No... It was a good time for us to go over there, to get ourselves ready for our season, and to experience Holland and how those guys prepare themselves.

MF: Experience what parts of Holland?
JP: (laughs) It's a little different, if you're from a big city, to a small town with 28,000, with not a lot going on. More geared for soccer that it is over here.

MF: Someone in the media, we won't name names, said that you had a very bad preseason.
JP: I've been fighting injuries and getting sick, so I've been trying to get myself back. We'll see what happens.

MF: The defense last year didn't do that well overall. With the addition of Agoos change that?
JP: Hopefully we can get better. Agoos coming in, he has proven himself in this league, he's a winner. Hopefully with him back there, he will show his leadership and share his knowledge.

MF: Are they gonna give you more money? Your contract is probably pretty small after being the last pick.
JP: We'll see. It's all up to the league. We'll see how things go.

MF: The hair, long or short this year?
JP: We'll see how long I can do with the long hair and deal with the heat. Probably short.