MetroFanatic: Tim, you don't often see a player in their prime coming from the English Premier League to America.
Tim Cahill: Yeah, I supposed a lot of people talk about leaving Everton, still a lot of time left, turning down offers in Europe and the Premier League to come here, but this is a big league. New York Red Bulls is one of the best teams in the league, it's one of the most powerful brands in the world, and for me it's a challenge and a new chapter in my life. I want to be a part of a revolution of doing something special, not only for the club, but for the league as well. I've been mindful and respectful of the fact that coming at a good age, where my body is in good shape, that I can offer a lot to MLS for the next three to four years.

MF: At Everton, you played with Tim Howard, still beloved here for his time with the MetroStars. Did you talk to him, or do you have something to say about him?
TC: Tim Howard is a fantastic goalkeeper, I played in the same team with him for a number of years. We've had a lot of success at Everton, we had our ups and downs, but the main thing is, we had a great relationship on and off the pitch. He is a fantastic person, and coming to America, yes, we traveled every year here with Everton. We played against some of these teams. I suppose, for me, it was my choice to come here. I'm a big fan of America, the fans, the league. It was a no-brainer, this is a fantastic opportunity not only for MLS, but for myself as well.

MF: You're still playing for Australia, you're used to long trips, aren't you?
TC: Yeah.

MF: I sit on the plane for five hours, I'm numb. How do you handle it?
TC: I've done it for the last ten years of my life, playing for Australia, and two World Cups later, and hopefully a third one coming up in Brazil next year. We got three or four games left in qualifying, I haven't gone on loan to the Premier League in preseason, I stayed, I'm healthy. I was mindful of the fact that being a good acquisition for the Red Bulls, but not only that, making sure trying to qualify for another World Cup. A lot of planning goes into the future, what you think about and what you want from your career. I want to be successful in MLS and I want to play in another World Cup.

MF: Do you think that last year, you were off your game, especially early on?
TC: No, I think for me, coming in and adapting to such a messy situation...

MF: Why was it a messy situation?
TC: I think it was obvious to see, conceding 15 goals in the first 15 minutes. I was an attacking player, I was playing basically on the base of the nine-yard box. That's not criticism to what it was before, but it has to be a lot more compact, a lot more disciplined, and I think Petke is gonna bring that. He's gonna bring the consistency. What we need is someone... he's passionate about the game, he's lived and breathed it, he's played it, and for me, it's nice to just start a season to know the players, know the staff, not live out of a suitcase, not even know the situation. Basically, what I did last year is what I do for any club, and that's play football, and regardless of how it's seen, for me it doesn't matter. I wanted to put on the jersey for the fans, and players on my team, and from that I've earned great respect, and hopefully this season is gonna be fantastic.

MF: You said, the Red Bulls are one of the best teams in the league. The trophy case is pretty empty...
TC: Yeah, I'm not a part of history. To me, I'm part of the future. I joined in a sticky situation, in a season where things were up and down. Now I'm part of the new system, new players, new management, so what's happened in the past, I can't really take the credit or the downfalls, but what I can do is be responsible for what happens in the future. And something that's I've always been is accountable for my performances, on and off the pitch.