TUKWILA, Wash. – After taking his frustrations at being benched public, Jeff Parke finally got the start he wanted last weekend, helping the Seattle Sounders hold down a 0-0 road draw at D.C. United.
But while the veteran defender was happy to be back in the starting lineup, he also made it clear he wasn’t entirely satisfied.
“It’s good, but we haven’t gotten the results and that’s the main thing,” said Parke, who made his season debut a week earlier as an injury replacement for Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.
“As I’ve said before, if the team is winning I’d rather it be that than playing. I’d rather get the wins and start getting some results. It’s good to be out there with the first group, but I’d rather get three three points than anything.”
Despite playing well and feeling as though he’s cleared the air with Sounders coach Sigi Schmid, Parke is not convinced that he’s won back his starting spot.
“I don’t know if he had much of a choice there with Kennedy out,” Parke noted. “I guess it happens that way.”
Schmid didn’t sound as if he was upset with Parke taking his frustrations public, but also didn’t give any indication about what may happen in the future.
“As a player, you’re not going to be happy sitting on the bench and all you can control is your effort and performance,” Schmid said. “Opportunities are going to come and you have to wait for your opportunity. The opportunity came and he was part of a team that got a shutout, so that’s a good thing for him.”
Jeremiah Oshan covers the Seattle Sounders for MLSsoccer.com and SB Nation.
