New York Red Bull veteran Mike Petke: Right time to retire

New York Red Bull defender Mike Petke says it was the right time to announce his retirement.

Petke had a long conversation with Red Bulls sporting director and general manager Erik Soler and another with head coach Hans Backe about a week ago. On Wednesday, the club announced Petke’s retirement on Red Bull Reader.

“Things caught up with me, mostly physically and mentally as well because once your legs start going, my mind started trying to compensate,” Petke told the New York Post. “I just knew it was obviously time.”

Even since letting the club know, Petke has come to training sessions with the same attitude, the same commitment.

“He’s still every session one of the most hard-working players and a super character on every session,” coach Hans Backe said. “I hope that we could do something in this organization with him.”