Red Bulls bring D Petke back to fold

Nov 27, 2008 - 1:43 AM SECAUCUS, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New York Red Bulls on Wednesday acquired defender Mike Petke hours after losing Jeff Parke to the Seattle Sounders FC in the MLS Expansion Draft.

The team's career games played leader, Petke was picked up by the Red Bulls after the 32-year-old was waived by the Colorado Rapids earlier in the day.

Petke played in 143 games for the MetroStars from 1998-2002, earning MLS All-Star honors in 2000 and 2002. He was originally selected eighth overall by New York in the 1998 College Draft and was dealt to D.C. United.

Parke started 23 contests for the Red Bulls this season before being suspended for 10 games by the league for violating the substance abuse and behavioral health policy. He will miss the Sounders' first four games next season.

The 26-year-old Parke had been with New York since 2004 and played in 132 regular-season games for New York.

"It's obviously a sad day for the New York Red Bulls in losing Jeff Parke," Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos said. "At the end of the day, we just weren't able to protect every player we would have liked to protect.

"Unfortunately Jeff was selected, but we thank Jeff for his contributions to the club and his long history here in New York. We will obviously miss him both personally and professionally."

Also on Wednesday, the Red Bulls waived defender Gabriel Cichero, midfielder Gordon Kljestan and forward Sainey Touray.