Mike Petke’s blond hair, Long Island roots and physical defense made him a favorite among MetroStar fans right up until the club traded him to rival D.C. Tonight, he’ll have his first homecoming in a United uniform.

The Bohemia native will be back at Giants Stadium, wearing the colors of the team the Metro- Stars fans despised. He should fit right in: He relished being the foe fans loved to hate.

“It’s a homecoming for me, I’m going to make the most of it,” Petke said. “I’m looking forward to coming in and I hope I get a good reaction from the fans that supported me.”

In December, the MetroStars sent Petke and picks to D.C. for veterans Eddie Pope, Jaime Moreno and Richie Williams. If Columbus draws or loses, the Metros (2-1-1) can move into first with a win, while D.C. is 0-1-3.

At first, the deal hurt Petke, the Metros’ all-time leader in games and minutes played, but he admits it was for the best.

“It was time for me to get out. I was there five years, and with the coaches I had I was never very happy,” said Petke, referring to Octavio Zambrano.

He made three straight All-Star Games but took heat when the Metros gave up 47 goals and missed the playoffs last year.

“There were a lot of things in that organization I didn’t like, and I butted heads. [Now] I love the approach of Ray Hudson. I’m playing for a coach that doesn’t throw nine guys forward, have two on defense, and get mad when goals get scored.”

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The Metros finalized loan deals for defender Juan Forchetti and midfielder Josi Galvan, 22-year-olds from Argentine power Boca Juniors. They’ll be transitional internationals, and once their visas are processed, the Metros will have to waive two players.