Caught up with Luciano Emilio after his first training session of the season with D.C. United. He’s getting his old number back, 11, and his old locker. Everything is back to normal, right?
By the way, Danny Allsopp was back in training, so that’s another forward that could be available for Saturday. With how Adam Cristman played last night, and the return of Emilio — read below for details — who should start against the Red Bulls?
“The last two months was a little bit boring,” he said. “I am happy to be here. I could be anywhere. I could be in Philadelphia, but I am here. That is the decision right now so I am happy to be here getting to know my teammates and to work I need day for recover my performance.”
He used the term performance instead of fitness, which he admits he’s lacking. He played ten games for Rio Branco in Brazil during the winter, but…
“My last game was in March 3,” he said. “I have a long time for a soccer player without playing, two months, so I need to work hard to recover my performance. But I am very motivated to be here, and I just want to work hard. My first day was good, I feel very good, but I have to keep working.”
So, no hard feelings?
“I think when we are professionals, we can understand everything. We can speak about the situation and resolve it as best as we can. I think now everything is okay. I’d like to give my best for the team and help the team to improve our performance.”
It’s all quite a change in situation for the Brazilian attacker, who went from phenom signing in 2007 to designated player money ($750k) in 2008 to unwanted by the end of 2009 to on a modest, short-term deal that needs to show immediate returns in 2010.
“I didn’t do preseason,” said Emilio. “I have a short time. The situation is not good, but for me it’s important to keep working because if you play good, you have other opportunities, to play here or somewhere else, so the important things is to stay active.”
“He knows, with his deal,” said Jaime Moreno when asked about Emilio’s situation. “It’s kind of weird, but it is what it is. We’ve got to deal, and hopefully he’ll stay longer. Just fitness-wise, he hasn’t played in a while so he’s going to struggle a little bit, but he’s got to work on it.”
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