Reunited: Mike Petke adds former New York Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave to Real Monarchs staff

As Mike Petke prepares for his USL coaching debut with Real Monarchs, he is bringing back some old allies to help him; notably, former RSL and New York Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave.

Per RSL Soapbox, Real Salt Lake's communications team has advised Olave is ending his career as a player and will work with Petke's Real Monarchs squad as a defensive coach. He will also work with the club's academy and contribute to Spanish language TV and radio coverage of the team. It is noted the deal is yet to be finalized, but clearly all parties are well advanced with defining a role for the veteran RSL player.

The 35-year-old Colombian landed in MLS with RSL in 2008. He won MLS Cup with the club in 2009 and was named MLS Defender of the Year in 2010.

After being acquired in a trade at the end of 2012, Olave played for the New York Red Bulls from 2013 to 2014: Mike Petke's tenure as RBNY head coach. An ever-present starter for Petke when fit, the center back made a total of 63 appearances for the Red Bulls, and scored four goals.

The last of those might be the most fondly remembered by RBNY fans. In May 2013, the Red Bulls were trailing Columbus Crew at home, 2-1. In second-half stoppage time, Olave equalized with a confidence and poise that foreshadowed the arrival of Bradley Wright-Phillips at RBNY.

Shortly before Petke's controversial firing in 2015, Olave was traded back to RSL and has played sparingly for the club over the last two seasons.

The once-dominant defender will now join his former RBNY head coach in shaping the players RSL hopes will see the club back to the success it enjoyed when Olave was at his peak for the team.