Santino Quaranta has played a season and a half since deciding to make the long journey back from the depths of addiction, and D.C. United fans are well acquainted with what sobriety has brought him: career-highs in games started (23), played (27), assists (6) and matching his career high in goals scored (5) — through just 13 games in 2009.
But those who have felt the pain of addiction among loved ones know best that what is lost in addiction is often replaced by doubt in recovery, and how that doubt is often only eliminated by first-hand evidence.
Once Quaranta takes the RFK Stadium field on Wednesday for the U.S. national team against Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup — and he certainly deserves to appear, if not start — there will no longer be any argument about the limits of what the 24-year-old Baltimore native might accomplish.
“I think he’s matured, as obviously both a player and a person,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. “You can tell that he is very excited to have this opportunity at this time, and I think we all feel like he’s shown well for D.C. the second half of last season and early this year.”
But the proof for Quaranta’s U.S. teammates is seeing him face-to-face, witnessing his renewed dedication to practice and the way he carries himself off the field.
“It means a lot,” said U.S. goalkeeper Troy Perkins. “Being with him for two years [at D.C. United], he’s matured leaps and bounds from what he was. Even as a player, he’s gotten much better. He’s so talented, and to see him grow up and come up now puts a smile on your face.”
Four years ago, Quaranta was on the fast track to earning a roster spot on the U.S. World Cup team in 2006 before injuries and habits got the best of him. RFK is the perfect place for him to start over again in his quest to get there this time in 2010.
“It’s going to be hard not to put too much into the game,” said Quaranta, whose wife Petrina, 6-year-old daughter Olivia and 8-week-old son Valentino will be among his support group in attendance. “You want to try not to put so much pressure on yourself. But then again, you want to embrace all this and just try to take it in because it might not come again.”
