MetroFanatic: Stephen, let's get it out of the way. The feature in Timeout, did it work?
Stephen Keel: (laughs) No!

MF: Not at all?
SK: You know, here's the truth about it. I was tricked into doing it. I didn't even know what Timeout was, and a media person said, this magazine wants to do questions and photos, and I said fine. So I committed to it and then I found out what's really going on, and I was not too happy, but I went along with it.

MF: So not one date from that?
SK: No. There is an email account... (laughs) but I'm divulging too much information. I didn't know what was going on until I found out how it works, and then I was like... whoa, whoa, whoa. I am all for online dating, but I don't know if that's my style... Thanks guys!

MF: You started the season as reserve, but you ended as a starter. Now you're a starter, but with Conde coming back, that might change.
SK: For me, it's the same as last year. Who's in the starting 11, who's in the 18, it's up to the coach and whoever he chooses. I can only control what I can do and can only work as hard as I can. Whoever plays, be it Wilman or Markus or myself back there, it's the coach's decision. If I'm not out there, I support the two guys playing.

MF: There was some criticism of how you played early last year, and that criticism subsided down the stretch. Did something change?
SK: No. As far as criticism, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I think it was just about getting comfortable with the guys. As the season wore one, and I got more and more games, I got more confidence. I gotta credit the coaching staff, they took me aside and said whatever decisions you make, I support you 100%, and whenever a coach says that, it gives you confidence.

MF: Mike Petke brought you here, can you talk about your relationship with him.
SK: I've known Mike when he first came to Colorado, and we became friends off the field, and kept in touch since. So when he got here, he gave me a call, and here I am.

MF: So networking helped!
SK: Definitely!