MetroFanatic: Ronald, first the important question. How do you pronounce your last name?
Ronald Waterreus: Uhhh... It's "Wahterhrhrus", but nobody can, so don't try. Don't worry about it.

MF: "Wahterhhhus". I'm 1/8 Dutch, so I'm gonna try. "Wahtehhhrus".
RW: You should do better then.

MF: "Wahterhhrhhus".
RW: Yeah, yeah, that's pretty close. With the exception of Dutch-speaking people, nobody knows how to pronounce it. It's not a big deal to me.

MF: So why did you come to MLS after such a long career in Europe?
RW: I just thought it would be a nice way to end my career, come over here and give something to the game that the game gave to me and also experience. This is also a life experience, it's not just playing soccer.

MF: What do you mean my "life experience"?
RW: Living in a different continent. Although I've lived in a few different countries already, it was still on the same continent. Living in another country, that's what I mean by "life experience". You get to know a little bit of the world. If you get the chance to do what you want to do, it's quite a nice thing to do.

MF: Why New York? Why not another MLS team?
RW: Just stand up and look around you over here (points to window overlooking NYC). Let's be honest, New York has a sound. If you tell people you're living in New York and you're playing your soccer over here, people tend to listen. It has a sound to it.

MF: By people, do you mean your former teammates?
RW: Sure. I even spoke to people that play for really really big clubs in Europe, even at the moment. If you tell them that you play (in NY), it sounds good to them, because everybody knows New York all over the world, it's the most famous city in the world.

MF: When you talk to those people, are there any misconceptions about MLS?
RW: What do you mean?

MF: Well, the league works differently, the salaries are not what they are in Europe.
RW: Those are the things you know in advance; if you want to play for the money, don't come over here.

MF: But you're not here for the money?
RW: You have your answer.