Forward has one goal in last seven games
With five goals in 2009, Luciano Emilio is currently tied for third among Major League Soccer’s leading scorers. But the Brazilian forward measures himself against the 2007 season, his first in MLS, when he scored 20 times and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
So when he was substituted in the 64th minute of D.C. United’s win over New York last week, extending his latest scoring drought, Emilio vented his frustration by kicking a tray of water bottles.
Unfortunately, it caused a mess that spilled over onto the field, stopping play and earning Emilio a red card that will keep him suspended him for United’s next match on Saturday.
“I was a little bit heated with the way things were going in the game,” said Emilio, speaking about the incident for the first time on Tuesday. “I thought we could still score a goal in the second half. I thought we were opening them up more. But the coach thought it better to pull me out of the game so that brought on a little frustration on my part.”
Despite a raise last year that made him United’s highest paid player ($759,000 salary), Emilio has just one goal in his last seven matches.
“Sometimes I am under pressure because everybody is waiting for me, waiting because of the Golden Boot, MVP, everything I have to do,” said Emilio, who had 11 goals and 5 assists in 2008. “If I have more time to score goals and play good, it’s important for the team and important for me.”
D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn has maintained strict adherence to player rotation, but Emilio is one of five to have started at least 12 of United’s 13 matches.
“Everything’s fine,” said Soehn. “In the heat of the moment, obviously things transpired that were unacceptable. He understands it, and we move on.”
