When Real Monarchs SLC hired Mike Petke as its new head coach, the Real Salt Lake organization brought in a person who certainly burst into the scene at a high level at a young age. Petke was only 37 years old when he led Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls to the Supporters’ Shield in 2013.

With the offseason transition of former Monarchs coach Freddy Juarez to an assistant coaching role with RSL, which left a void on the USL side, Petke was on the club’s radar.

The wheels were set in motion when Petke received a text from one-time N.Y./N.J. MetroStars teammate and current Real Salt Lake Head Scout Andy Williams, and Petke began his talks with RSL General Manager Craig Waibel and the organization.

“I didn’t really know what it was about at all, and then it just took off from there,” Petke said. “We started speaking and it became clear that they were interested in me perhaps coaching the Monarchs. It went very quick.”

This is new territory for Petke, who has already had numerous discussions and covered an array of topics with RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar in how the Monarchs and the MLS club maximize their talent and produce. 

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this and I’m definitely adapting,” Petke said. “I think a huge part of coaching and life is adapting to environments and situations, and I’ve definitely adapted quickly to the concept of this, as well as just integrating myself within the organization. It’s been pretty smooth.”

The joint role for any MLS-owned-and-operated USL club is a dynamic one. Petke’s duties are twofold, to provide Cassar and the MLS club with the next generation of players while also performing at the highest professional level on the USL side. Clubs such as the 2015 USL runner-up LA Galaxy II and last year’s 2016 champion New York Red Bulls II have solidified that track record, and the Monarchs hope to improve on that front as well.

“I’m extremely competitive,” Petke said. “The players want to win, and [RSL Owner Dell Loy] Hansen certainly wants us to win. At the end of the day, it’s finding that balance, which has not been tested yet. … It goes hand-in-hand.”

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The Monarchs as usual will have a young roster, but this year’s club is a bit different than the previous two seasons. Real has a mix of strong experience to coincide with the youth. Former MLS Cup winner Chandler Hoffman is coming off a strong 2016 season with Louisville City FC. Daniel Haber played a big part in helping Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 reach its first postseason a year ago. The likes of midfielders Charlie Adams and Nick Besler also have a strong pedigree.

RSL has clearly built some good players through the ranks. Just look at its Development Academy track record or the bevy of talent on the current U.S. U20 Men’s National Team at the CONCACAF U20 Championship. So if Petke and this year’s Monarchs can mesh the youth with the strong corps of experience, Real could potentially enjoy a run they haven’t produced in their first two USL seasons.

“I challenged all those guys to be our leaders, to be our examples and to set the standards every day, and they have,” Petke said of the experienced corps. “They’re buying into things. Getting to the next level is far from a given. That definitely requires more than just soccer talent – off the field, mentality, with the way you conduct yourselves. They’re extremely professional, and when these players do get to that next level, they’re prepared in every aspect.”

As for Petke, he is upfront about wanting to return to the MLS foray at some stage – the same ambition that should be within every player on his Monarchs roster. At the same time, Petke also feels this opportunity with the Monarchs is a vital one in expanding his own professional coaching realm.

“I’ve said it before, and I truly mean it: When I had the head coaching job at Red Bull, I skipped many of the steps that it took to get there,” Petke said. “I was offered that job, and of course I’m going to take it, whereas you look at other guys who have paid their dues at this level, this level, this level, building up.

“So I’m excited about that part [with the Monarchs]. I was a reserve team coach and an assistant coach in MLS for three years, but never this. This is one of the big steps that I missed, and I’m just looking forward to getting back to my roots, paying my dividends and getting back up to MLS.”