On April 17, 1998, the MetroStars were 0-3. The desperate Alfonso Mondelo started a rookie, bleached blond defender at left back. Metro won in Chicago 1:0. It was Mike Petke's first Metro game.

On May 2, 2001, the MetroStars played a memorable match versus Kansas City. Clint Mathis recorded a hat trick, scoring with his left, his right, and his head, on the way to a 4:1 romp. It was Mike Petke's 100th game in a Metro uniform in all competitions.

Petke was the first Metro to reach 100. When he left the team after the 2002 season, his total stood at 157. It was not approached since. Steve Jolley, who made up some games after his return in 2006, ended up with 147. Jeff Parke, who we thought would catch Petke but was unceremoniously dumped, left with 143. Mike Magee climbed to 142. Petke stood alone.

And when, in the few sane moves of the Osorio-Agoos regime, Petke was brought back, he got a chance to add to his total. It now stands at 195, meaning Petke will likely reach 200 by the end of the season.

He looked a shoe-in to top it early on, a starter from Day 1 of the Hans Backe reign. Recently, Carlos Mendes has taken Petke's spot, but Mike has been the first option off the bench, padding his total with substitute appearances.

Will the 200th game be as memorable as the first or the 100th? Who knows. But one thing is for sure:

Mike Petke. Metro legend.