To supporters whose local soccer fandom itself makes them outsiders, especially in a sports city like New York, the roots of the cult-hero status some players enjoy may lie not so much in their talent, but in the understanding that they are just as devoted to the team as the fans are.

“They know what we’re like,” said Steve Ferrezza of the Red Bulls’ Empire Supporters Club. “They really are one of us. I guess you could call them working-class heroes as opposed to a Rafa Márquez or a Thierry Henry, who have been stars all over the world. It feels like it’s more of a paycheck for them than living and breathing for the club.”

To fans like Ferrezza, one of the charms of M.L.S. is broad access to appreciative players who many times hail from — and retain links to — similar social and economic backgrounds. The Red Bulls’ newest prodigy, for example, the 18-year-old midfielder Tyler Adams, has quickly won the fans’ favor for his strong play. But it helps that he was raised an hour up the Hudson River in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., and attended Red Bulls games as a fan long before joining the club.

Petke, who went to high school on Long Island and was drafted by the MetroStars out of college, said he felt a similar connection. “I considered myself very identifiable with them because I supported the club like they did,” said Petke, who now coaches another M.L.S. team, Real Salt Lake. “I never felt like they were cheering for me more than I was cheering for them.”

Relationships were forged. Petke recognized longtime fans. As a rookie, he said he once felt too tired to sign autographs for fans after a loss, let them know and walked on. “I took two steps and my dad’s hand was around the back of my neck,” Petke remembered. “I never made that mistake again.”