MetroFanatic: All us number geeks want to know, why #23?
Jeff Parke: A new start. Last year wasn't a good year. So a fresh start, a fresh look.

MF: So you weren't happy with your performance last year?
JP: Yeah, and I want to get a new look, a new feel. Feel like it can make a difference, with a new number. First year, I obviously had to change because of Agoos, and then I just wasn't feeling #5.

MF: Jolley probably wanted it too.
JP: Yeah, Jolley is here, so it's good for him.

MF: You think you'll be starting opening day?
JP: We'll see. Obviously, there's a lot of new faces and players. We've all had a pretty good preseason, so as long as you stay healthy and keep working, you have a pretty good shot.

MF: So what did you this offseason to get to the next level?
JP: I worked out with a personal trainer, hit the weights more, get a bit stronger, worked on the cardio. The mental strength, working hard.

MF: This is not Bob Bradley's team. You seemed to be one of Bob's players. How is that transition going?
JP: It's good. Mo, I've been with Mo for a long time too, and he's always been a good guy, a good coach, a good leader. I can just build a relationship with him now.

MF: There's all this talk about a family now. Wasn't the team close last year?
JP: Of course. But sometimes you need change to make things better. When things are not working, you gotta get the right people in. They say, if it's not broken, don't fix it, but our was not working last year, so you gotta do something.

MF: Some fans are having a problem with a Red Bull transition, and you were actually a part of team, how do you feel about that?
JP: It's a big thing for the club, switching over. There's more money coming, there's more press, there's more involvement. The MetroStars were a part of a club, you can't forget about them, you can't forget where it's come from and where it started. It's a new start, a new look, and hopefully after ten years of not winning anything, we can win something, we can take it to the next step.