Santino Quaranta

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Santino Quaranta
Image:Santino Quaranta.jpg
Personal information
Date of birth October 14, 1984 (1984-10-14) (age 23)
Place of birth    Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position Second striker, Center forward
Club information
Current club D.C. United
Number 25
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2001-06
2006-07
2007
2008-
D.C. United
Los Angeles Galaxy
Red Bull New York
D.C. United
62 (14)
13 0(3)
03 0(0)
10 0(2)   
National team2
2005– United States 11 (0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 25 May 2008.
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 19 November 2007.
* Appearances (Goals)

Santino Quaranta (born October 14, 1984 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American soccer player who is currently playing for D.C. United.

Quaranta was drafted eighth overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United, after having exceptional success with the US U-17 national team academy based in Bradenton, Florida. At 16 years, four months, Quaranta surpassed fellow D.C. player Bobby Convey as the youngest player in the history of MLS, a record which would subsequently be taken by another fellow United player, Freddy Adu. Quaranta immediately excelled in MLS, registering five goals and one assist in just 16 games during the 2001 season. Unfortunately, in the subsequent three seasons, Quaranta has been beset by injuries, and his promise has somewhat faded. Although he started all eleven games he played in during the 2002 season, Quaranta missed almost two-thirds of the season with injuries; things did not improve in 2003, when he only played in 12 games, and have not been much better in 2004, when he only played once. With fitness restored, Quaranta returned to form in 2005; Santino netted 5 goals and 5 assists in 18 games played, third highest on the club for goals scored.

Quaranta was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy from D.C. United for a partial allocation and a conditional draft pick on August 9, 2006[1]. In his first match with the Galaxy the next day, Quaranta entered as a substitute and scored the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win over Houston. On June 30, 2007 the Galaxy traded Quaranta to Red Bull New York, getting a conditional fourth round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft in return. He was waived by the Red Bulls on January 3, 2008.[2]

Quaranta has played internationally for the Under-17 and Under-20 United States national soccer teams, but while he was dominant for the U-17's, he was not able to secure a starting place on the U-20's (although he did play in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship). After coming back from injuries in 2005, Quaranta received his first cap for the senior team July 7, 2005 in a Gold Cup match against Cuba. He converted a penalty kick in the United States' shootout victory over Panama in the Gold Cup championship game but has yet to score an international goal.

Quaranta partially attended Baltimore's Archbishop Curley High School for his Freshman and Sophomore years, where he started both years, and was recognized as one of the top players in the state. He has a daughter, Olivia Naomi, born in 2003.[3]

Quaranta signed with D.C. United on March 6, 2008. He claims to have turned down larger offers from other Major League Soccer sides, but felt he still had a point to prove at D.C.[4]

His first meaningful game back with D.C. United was as a substitute in the home leg of the the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup against Harbour View of Jamaica. He had two assists in the 5-0 victory.[5]

On his first regular season home game back with D.C. United on April 5, 2008, Quaranta had a goal and an assist.[6]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Goff, Stephen. "United Trades Quaranta To Los Angeles", Washington Post, August 9, 2006, retrieved August 9, 2006.
  2. ^ The Sports Network - Major League Soccer (MLS)
  3. ^ Connolly, Marc. "Quaranta showcasing talent for U.S. team", MLSnet.com, August 16, 2005, retrieved December 4, 2006.
  4. ^ D.C. United: News: Article
  5. ^ D.C. United: News: Article
  6. ^ D.C. United: News: Article