MetroFanatic: Mike, you were just named to the team's all-time Best XI over such luminaries as Kevin Goldthwaite... What do you have to say about that?
Mike Petke: What should I say about that?

MF: Well, you and him were among the final six defenders to be voted on.
MP: I didn't know that. Who were the final six?

MF: You, Parke, Pope, Kevin, Carlos Mendes... ummm... Steve Jolley, of course!
MP: Steve Jolley! I'm flattered that I got voted, whoever voted.

MF: The fans.
MP: I thank them very much, it makes myself and my family feel very proud.

MF: You miss Giants Stadium, right?
MP: Oh, I miss Giants Stadium a ton. I don't think I'll ever utter those words again, "Giants Stadium".

MF: Last season didn't exactly go well.
MP: No, not at all. We have a lot of catching up to do this year. We have no excuse on not performing with what they've done here for us. It's a new season, new stadium, lots of new players.

MF: What do you see as the biggest difference between your old coach and your current one?
MP: Well... I'm not gonna speak of the old coach... He is not here, but I will speak of the new coach. He's very organized, he knows what he wants. He has a gameplan and he works on it every day. It's a welcome pleasure.

MF: So you're saying the old coach wasn't AS organized? In putting the gameplan together?
MP: No, I certainly did not say that. Talking just about the new coach and how great a job he's done. Guys want to work for him, and he knows what he's doing.

MF: So you're seeing a new level of professionalism with him?
MP: Oh, he's very professional. There's a fine line in letting us know what he wants and being an approachable guy. We're all adults here. It's easy to go talk to him about concerns you have. It's been a good preseason.

MF: Last year, you were named team's defender of the year. Not exactly...
MP: No, not at all. I don't think anybody deserved the award whatsoever. But there's nothing you can do, you say thank you and take it.

MF: The fans are saying that you really deserve this -- this stadium.
MP: I think the fans, the Empire Supporters Club especially, they deserve it as well, with everything they've been going through the past 15 years. Promise a stadium, promise a stadium -- it's finally here.

MF: I remember, Nick Sakiewicz was first talking about it in 2000...
MP: It was always six weeks away. Every month, he would say, we're six weeks away from the stadium. It's been the longest six weeks of my life.