MetroFanatic: Peter, this team has a history of brothers, from the Kljestans to the Wright-Phillips, to the Klingers back in the day, to even the two on the current team. What did Jarod say about you signing with his former club?
Peter Stroud: Obviously Jared came through Red Bulls II got drafted here, played for Red Bulls II, then he made the jump to the first team. That was that was really his first chance in the league. And he got it here. And when he found out that this is the route I was choosing, he couldn't have been happier for me. And he was just telling me how this is the best club to be at, especially if you're, you know, a really young player.

MF: Even though he is gone, he still said that's the best club. Not Austin or St. Louis. That's important.
PS: (laughs) Best club, he said. You know, this is a place where they give opportunities to young players. It's a fantastic place to be at and it's close to home as well, which is important as a rookie because every day is not easy. Getting to come back to that support our home. So he was just really happy with my decision. And he can't wait to watch and support me.

MF: You went to West Ham a few years ago. The perception here is that European players look down on Americans, right? Is that what you encountered?
PS: No, no, not at all. The Europeans definitely envy the American lifestyle, especially from the movies they all get to watch when they're young. They get to watch like Project X, so they think America is all that. And I have to tell them it's not all like that.

MF: I bet they haven't been to New Jersey...
PS: I think that's not the perception at all. I think the American soccer is really starting to prove itself on the world stage, obviously, with the World Cup had a fantastic run there. And American guys are going over to Europe and they're beating out these European guys, which is which is even better. And you see in our league, too, is you see some young American guys keeping keeping guys out of the team, or you see some young Americans keeping foreign guys out of the team, these big signings. And I think it's gained so much respect. And I'm proud to be an American soccer player.

MF: You chose to go to college and not the direct to pro route like JMi or Daniel.
PS: I have a very close family and just kind of always followed the footsteps of my brothers. West Ham was a great place for me as a young player. But what England taught me was that there's a lot of players there. And there is a long line there if you want to make it to the first team.

MF: Would you have a permit? Did you have a nationality?
PS: My dad's from England. I had a dual passport which helped me out a lot.I think that really helped me getting over there at a young age. I learned a lot of things really quickly. You got to see some amazing players, learn from them and then, just following in my parents' footsteps, following my brother's footsteps, started to come back and go to school here. And obviously, I'm really happy with how my college career went, wouldn't have changed anything. And now I'm at the place I love, the club I love.

MF: For those who don't follow college soccer, please tell us how you like to play.
PS: In college, I played center mid, kind of had a free roam. I was like an eight, do-it-all type of player really, runner, I like to tackle. I also like to dribble. I like to shoot, I like to score, I like to get assists. So I'm kind of just a pretty well rounded center mid that likes to do everything. I like doing the basics and my best ability, but I also like a goal and assist every now and then.

MF: Well, you're #5 now, to match one of our great heroes and now broadcaster, Steve Jolley.
PS: Connor Lade is the #5 for me. I grew up watching Connor.

MF: See, Steve was the hero for older guys like me.
PS: Obviously, we talked about wearing #5, so we had a nice joke about it, but yeah, that's cool. I watched Connor a lot when I was younger. Great player.