After deciding once and for all to get sober late last year, this season was supposed to be about Santino Quaranta’s rededication to his craft and how it would help him turn his life around.
But the D.C. United midfielder has done more than set career highs in games (21), starts (17) and minutes played (1,479), and tie his career best with five goals.
With United decimated by injuries, Quaranta has borne the responsibility of primary offensive playmaker and has worn the strain of a roller-coaster season with his every emotion.
“It’s been about how can I help the team win,” said Quaranta. “That’s rare for me because it’s always been about me.”
Still just 23 years old, Quaranta has nearly eight seasons under his belt and plenty of insight on Los Angeles, where he spent one and a half seasons, and new Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, who’s coached him on various teams.
“It’s unfortunate because [Arena is] working with a defense that’s not done so well,” said Quaranta. “For him, that’s different because he’s always had teams that are good at the back and organized, not leaking goals as much as they are.”
Back in his own locker room, Quaranta is constantly aiming for a laugh — or searching for his boots after they’ve been stashed away somewhere in RFK Stadium by a teammate — and he’s scored in three of United’s last four league matches.
“When Tino faces up against people, they have to be honest because you don’t know if he’s going to beat you on the dribble or if he’s going to shoot because he’s capable of doing both very well … ” said United head coach Tom Soehn, “He’s battled through a lot of difficult things in his past, and he continues to make strides and get better.”
Up next » United at Galaxy
Where » Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
When » Saturday, 11 p.m.
TV » Fox Soccer Channel
Radio » 1050 AM; 1540 AM (Spanish)
