MetroFanatic: Jeff, prepare for some hard-hitting questions. What number this year?
Jeff Parke: (laughs) I got no clue yet.

MF: No clue?
JP: Aha. I dunno, man. Different numbers came to mind. Number 0, number 60 maybe.

MF: 60?
JP: Yeah, being the last pick and everything.

MF: The team record for different numbers is four, held by Petter Villegas. Hopefully you're here next year and you can switch again.
JP: Every year, either somebody comes in and grabs the number, or I don't like the number.

MF: So this time, Ronald grabbed the number?
JP: Yes, so I figured he's a big-timer. I'm not gonna sit there and fuss about the number. I only had it for a year anyway, the guy has had it for his whole career.

MF: You might not be aware of it, but on MetroFanatic.com you were named player of the year last year.
JP: Oh, sh..! Really?

MF: Well, kinda by default.
JP: (laughs) Oh, really?

MF: It's still a great honor, we've had Mathis, Howard, Guevara, Youri, and now you.
JP: Nice. Yeah, it's an honor. Those are the people who watch our games the most and support us. To be able to represent them and to be at the top of their list is definitely an honor and I'm proud to be it. Hopefully, this year, I can make them proud and serve well basically.

MF: You've also won Metro Survivor. Amado won the first two years, and now you.
JP: (laughs) Nice! That's another one, yeah? It's all about the fans. I want to go out and play hard and make them happy because they are the ones who come out to pay and watch, the ones that go and make a name for you. It's nobody else, really, it's the fans that support you, push you forward. With their support, it makes playing a lot easier.

MF: A more serious question. Last year, there was a point Bruce was gonna sit you, and he didn't, and you started from that point on.
JP: Yeah.

MF: And there has been some speculation that you're not Bruce's favorite.
JP: No. It is what it is, and hopefully I can stay with the team, with everything that goes on in the league always swapping players, and teams always trying to get different players. I'm just happy to be here and hopefully I can stay as long as possible.

MF: Can you give us a little insight on the central defender position right now, after you and Carlos?
JP: There's Regan, there Hughey, there're some other guys. Seth can play back there. But it's up in the air right now, it's anybody's position. That's why we have the preseason.

MF: You don't feel like you're a starter by default?
JP: No, you come in every year knowing that it's a position that's up in the air every year. I feel that should be for all positions, except for the guys that made a big name for themselves, done it year in and year out. I haven't really put together a real strong season, where I'd be up for All-Stars or even team MVP. My goal is just to be the best player I can and win a championship here and just be a consistent starter year in and year out.

MF: It seems that late last year, after Bruce came in, you made a lot of progress moving forward and distributing the ball.
JP: Oh yeah, definitely. At first, you're nervous about him coming in, he's obviously the best coach the US has ever produced. It's difficult, but I played forward and gained some confidence, and saw that he showed some interest and explained to me that he wants out of me, and trying to do the best that I can. It's all about somebody being there to teach you, and push you. I felt like I was at a point that I needed someone to tell me what to do, and where, and how to play the position a little bit better. Hopefully, in years to come, I can learn a bit more and just keep going forward, not take any steps back.