A few tidbits from D.C. United training, and a few more comments about Jaime Moreno:
Oh, those darn injuries. Jed Zayner, with crutches and his foot in a boot, watched United’s final training session from the side. He said he’s out six weeks with an ankle sprain, which should put him back in action just in time to help around the house when his first child is born at the end of November.
Clyde Simms also said he’s leaving Wednesday for his second trip to Munich – and second sports hernia surgery – one that he’s put off until after the season in order to help keep numbers for an already severely depleted roster.
“I’m actually excited,” said Simms. “It’s gotten a little worse and worse. But I’m still dealing with it, managing it during the week and doing what we gotta do on game days. I’m excited about getting the surgery and getting my body back in proper shape because it’s been tough not being able to properly train and play. It’s been frustrating.”
To promote breast cancer awareness, there’ll be a lot of pink inside RFK Stadium on Saturday, including the match ball, Santino Quaranta’s bright pink Nike boots and Andy Najar’s white and pink Adidas boots.
Jaime Moreno was greeted and honored after his last training session by a cadre of D.C. United front office staff. My piece on him in today’s print edition is here, and below are a few more comments about him and his career:
D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen: “It’s a very nostalgic week for him, and I know he’s been very busy. I hope he’s had a chance to step back and appreciate what he’s done here and what he means to this club. Personally, it’s a nostalgic week for me as well, to see kind of the last guy from those teams say goodbye, it’s sad. But it happens. The team is evolving, and he’s getting older, but it doesn’t shadow the fact of what he means to this club. He’s been the best, the best player at this club and the best player in this league, and he’s been a part of every championship this club has ever seen. It’s a sad day because he’s not going to be around, but hopefully, it’s a celebration this weekend of what he’s done for this club.”
Devon McTavish: “As a kid, watching him play, I would see him do stuff on the field and then go out and practice it during the week and try to do what he did. I’ve never been able to do that, but being able to play with him for five years was certainly a dream come true for me. What he’s done for the organization, what he’s done for the league, how he’s kept himself humble and down to earth and just a great guy is pretty admirable.”
Andy Najar (via interpreter): “For me, it has been an honor to have the opportunity to play with Jaime. As we all know, he’s a legend, not only at D.C. United but for the whole league so it’s been really special to have had him as a teammate this year. We know that he’s an excellent player, but for me personally, he’s given me a lot of advice and when I committed errors and mistakes on the field, how to correct them and he’s just been there for me. Overall, I always take those things, and I respect them very much.”
Clyde Simms: “I was definitely hearing about Jaime as a younger kid. When I started watching MLS, I watched D.C. United whenever I could because Eddie Pope and I went to the same high school and I followed his career. He was with D.C. so I always knew about Jaime, and I was fortunate to play six years with him. I think he’s the best product of MLS and will be one of the best of all-time when it’s all said and done. He’s had a great career. I think he should be proud of it. I know he’s sad it’s coming to an end, but he had a good one.”
Jed Zayner: “Whenever you play six-on-six, you want to be on Jaime’s team, because he’ll find you and score some goals. It’s been fun. He’s a really good soccer player, and this league’s benefitted so much from his presence. It’s definitely going to miss him… He’s like the last of D.C. United guys who were a part of the club’s early dynasty. But we’re on a path to creating a new dynasty, that’s what we’re trying to find out right now, getting a core of players to create that dynasty again. I think next season, people will be surprised at how well we do.”
