Honduran first division club CD Olimpia is no Real Madrid. Luciano Emilio may not be David Beckham. But the Brazilian forward was unveiled Tuesday by D.C. United with plenty of enthusiasm from United technical director Dave Kasper and head coach Tommy Soehn.
“Obviously I don’t arrive in the same fashion that Beckham does, but I’m here to help D.C. on the attack, and that’s going to be my goal,” said Emilio, 28, who scored 91 goals in five seasons in Honduras.
Despite the success of Argentinian imports Christian Gomez and Facundo Erpen, United’s last two South American signings, Lucio Filomeno and Matias Donnet, have been regarded as disappointments.
But Soehn and Kasper are confident in their latest choice, having tracked the 5-foot-11, 175-pound striker for three years.
“Bringing him in at the stage we have, we’ve got a lot more experience with him,” said Soehn, who pointed to Emilio’s expected positive impact in the locker room, formative professional years spent in Germany and record of winning championships.
“We’ve been able to watch games and really put together what kind of player we want to fill the needs we have. He fits the bill in all accounts,” said Soehn. “His style of play is very athletic, he’s fast, and he’s got a nose for the goal, and it’s what’s truly needed in our league and what survives in our league.”
