MLS New York Red Bulls

Red Bulls Pick Up Defender Mike Petke In Waiver Draft

Published on November 26, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


SECAUCUS, NJ (Nov. 26, 2008) - Red Bull New York selected defender and New York's all-time games played leader Mike Petke in today's MLS Waiver Draft. Petke was waived after four seasons with the Colorado Rapids.

Petke, 32, played in 134 games, starting in 129 - a club all-time high - and logged 11,520 minutes during his time with New York from 1998 to 2002. He was initially selected by New York in the first round (eight overall) of the 1998 College Draft and helped New York win the 2000 Eastern Division Title. He was traded on Dec. 23, 2002 to D.C. United, along with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft and an allocation for defender Eddie Pope, forward Jaime Moreno and midfielder and current Red Bulls assistant coach Richie Williams.

The Bohemia, NY, native played three seasons with United, making 48 appearances and helping it win the 2004 MLS Cup. Petke was traded to Colorado during the 2005 season on May 23 for midfielder Chris Henderson. In 2008, Petke made 11 appearances and 10 starts while scoring two goals. One of those goals came against the Red Bulls in a 5-4 Rapids win on Sept. 27 at Giants Stadium. The 6-2, 191-pound defender has earned two caps for the U.S. National Team and was a two-time MLS All-Star (2000-2002). The former Southern Connecticut State University product has accumulated 13 goals and four assists in 272 games played in his 11-year career.

The Red Bulls also announced today that they waived defender Gabriel Cichero, midfielder Gordon Kljestan and forward Sainey Touray.

Cichero was signed on Aug. 6, 2008 after playing for Deportivo Italia of the Venezuelan First Division. He made eight starts for New York. Kljestan was signed on June 25, 2008. The former Los Angeles Galaxy player featured in eight MLS Reserve League games this season. New York signed Touray on Aug. 29, 2008. Touray, who previously played for Wallidan FC of The Gambian First Division, made six appearances for the Red Bulls, scoring two goals.

Mike Petke

Height: 6-2

Weight: 191 lbs.

DOB: Jan 30, 1976 in Bohemia, NY

Previous Club: Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Hometown: Bohemia, NY

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