D.C. United coach Peter Nowak responded Monday to Los Angeles Galaxy forward Santino Quaranta’s criticism of his former team following the Galaxy’s lopsided win over United on Saturday.
“[Quaranta] needs to be more worried about making the playoffs than looking at our team,” said Nowak.
United traded Quaranta to Los Angeles three weeks ago after five and a half seasons in D.C. Following the Galaxy’s 5-2 triumph Saturday, Quaranta said he knew United could be exploited defensively and that its defense was “not disciplined enough.”
“It was his decision to move on, and we did everything right to help him,” Nowak said. “I’m not surprised he’s coming with this stuff and trying to spin it this the way it shouldn’t be. [The Galaxy is] still in the position that they’re not making the playoffs so he’s supposed to be worried first what the next game’s going to bring to L.A. and what kind of performance he will bring. Playing 67 minutes doesn’t mean you are the expert of soccer.”
United (13-3-8, 47 points) remains atop the Eastern Conference while the Galaxy (8-11-5, 29 points) is three points behind the Colorado Rapids (9-9-5, 32 points) in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
“[Quaranta] can say something like that, but then you look at our goals against as being still the best in the league,” said United defender Bryan Namoff. “It’s hard criticism, but you just have to take it for what it’s worth. For that game specifically, yes, that comment proves true. But I think for the majority of the season we’ve been solid in the back.”
Note
D.C. United midfielder Domenic Mediate will be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a broken distal fibula, which occurred when he was tackled by Los Angeles Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu on Saturday.
