MetroFanatic: JMi, we need to talk about very important thing: hair. So I had really good hair back in the day. But I'm 45 now is this is what happens. So that's life, right?
John Tolkin: (laughs) So it's going to be me.

MF: You sure? It's your mom's father, right?
JT: Yeah. You know what? Actually, he has a good head of hair. Is that what it is?

MF: That's what they say. That's the old wives' tale.
JT: (laughs) All right, so then I might be all right.

MF: But we've seen all kinds of crazy stuff there. You know, Mike Petke is a great legend, and you're following in the footsteps. Are we gonna see something new this year? Maybe a mohawk like Clint Mathis?
JT: Yeah, well, I've got something coming. I just can't say what it is yet. I think you'll like it. But I love to try things. I think it's good when you can kind of add your personality into playing as well. And this is who I am. I love hair, I love fashion, I love that kind of stuff.

MF: Fashion, heh? So what do you think about the new jersey, the way blue and the yellow shirt?
JT: (confused) What do you mean? Oh, THE new jersey! Looks clean together. I think with the shorts and the socks and the whole uniform together looks nice. It's definitely out there. It's new.

MF: In Europe, they have the change kit, right? It's always the weird color, right? Pink or yellow.
JT: I think we're going to be rocking them this weekend. It's going to look good.

MF: You got your first cap with the national team, and even some talk before the World Cup. How is the outlook on that, going forward?
JT: Yeah. You know, it's great. It was a great experience to finally get in the field for, for USA. And it's something I'll never forget. And it's something I got a little taste of and I want so much more of it. You know, the goal is to be on the field in 2026, so I'll just work every day towards that.

MF: Left back is always called the problem position because they are hard to find. You we were kind of put back there... why?
JT: When I was younger, I used to play in, in the midfield and, when I played at Ironbound, my coach was like, you know what? Actually, no, it was right when I came to the Red Bull in the academy and they're like, we'll try you out at left back. And I guess I succeeded there, and that's where I am now.

MF: You talk about how you love biomes. Rank your top three... and what's number one?
JT: No, I don't have like a number one. I'll give you three, though. Okay. Three. Yeah. All right. Mountains.

MF: Mountains. OK.
JT: It has to be mountains. Ocean. And then, like, what do they call grassy lands? Green land. Like where... it's just a pasture? Like when you open up like a Dell computer and it's the picture...

MF: You mean like central Vermont?
JT: You just lay in the grass... aww, yes. That's gotta be it.

MF: In your mind, what's your long term plan next? Five years. Give us a rough idea.
JT: Next five years. What is that, 2027? Yeah, yeah. Playing in Europe, starting for the national team. That's it.

MF: Is there a place in Europe or your heart is not set on one location?
JT: Champions League would be amazing. Yeah, that's what I want. It's big goals, but I think it's possible.

MF: Anything that you see yourself contributing more this year going forward in what's expected to be a new system?
JT: I think, the defensive game has been pretty strong past year and I think just getting more assists, more goals, more involvement in the attack. I think, just to help the team out in that aspect would be would be huge for me. We've talked about it for, for some time and you know, we're really working towards that this year.

MF: It seems like Struber has had more of an opportunity now. He's been here for a little bit now. You guys just sort of establish where your roles are given a little more personal instruction.
JT: Yeah, exactly. Over the years, we've gotten more comfortable with each other and yeah, in that sense and, that's just we just had a meeting in California together and, you know, that's what we want to do this year.

MF: So what kind of garbage is that we don't get a trophy for the Coachella Cup? You can speak the truth, we won that thing, right? No trophy.
JT: Come on. Doesn't mean anything.

MF: Oh, my God. This club needs some trophies.
JT: t doesn't mean anything. You know, I think we had a great preseason. Anytime you concede one goal in six games, it doesn't matter what kind of what kind of tournament or game, it's a good achievement. And it gives us a lot of confidence. But it doesn't mean anything in the end. The real season starts Saturday.