four -- than any other MLS team, as well as an CONCACAF Champions' Cup and InterAmerican Cup. They have some of the most rabid fans around, including the famous "Barra Brava". In their illustrious decade-long history, D.C. United have also signed some of the best South American players to play in MLS, including Bolivian's Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno.
So it is only fitting that last month United signed Matias Donnet, an Argentine midfielder from Boca. Donnet joins the growing ranks of South Americans in D.C.: Moreno still takes the RFK Stadium pitch, as do the Argentine duo Christian Gomez and Facundo Erpen. In his first month in the Capital city, Donnet scored a game-winning 'golazo' to help United beat the New York Red Bulls 4-3 and clinch the regular-season Eastern Conference title.
"Obviously it had been a while since I had played, since I had scored," said Donnet. "I think that it's the most beautiful part of soccer: scoring goals. It gives you a feeling of relief, of confidence."
The goal was the first taste that United fans have gotten of the immense talent of their new signing. Donnet has played with some of the best players in the world throughout his career, as well as plying his trade in two of the top leagues. When he was 18, he signed with Union de Santa Fe of the Argentine First Division. After four years there, he followed in the footsteps of many Argentines before him and made the leap to Europe, signing with Venezia of Italy's Serie A. He would later leave the Italian squad to return to Argentina to join Boca in 2002. With 'los Xeneixes', Donnet was part of a legendary team that won four major titles: the 2003 Copa Libertadores, the 2003 Torneo Apertura (Argentina's domestic league), the 2003 Intercontinental Cup, and the 2004 Copa Sudamericana. In the final of the Intercontinental Cup, the annual match-up of the champions of South America and the champions of Europe, Donnet scored the tying goal against AC Milan. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, Donnet converted from the spot to help give Boca the title of world's greatest club team. It was a magical year for the young midfielder, but recent years have been less kind to him.
The following year, injuries kept Donnet off the pitch; when he was healthy again, Boca's coaches never gave him the opportunity to regain his starting spot. It was a devastating time for the youngster.
"I did not have a good year," said Donnet. "Boca treated me very badly. I didn't feel well at all. After everything that had happened, to have to spend a year on the sidelines of a club that didn't want me was really hard. A ton of things go through your mind: 'I can't take it any more' ... 'a year will be way too long' ... but I knew that I had to keep training and that the opportunity would arise for me to show them that they had made a mistake, but I had to show them on the pitch."
When he had the chance to join the most successful club in MLS history, Donnet didn't hesitate.
"I thought that the chance to come to the U.S. was really good. From traveling with Boca, I knew the country: the stadiums, the fields, the locker rooms, and the respect that there is among the players. I never imagined that I would come to the U.S. to play, but I wanted the chance to find out what it was like here."
So far, all signs indicate that it was a very sound decision. A versatile player who is just as comfortable on the right wing as in the center of midfield, Donnet could be a very important addition to Peter Nowak's squad.
"I like to play on the right wing better," Donnet said, "but in the two games that the coach played me in the center, I liked that too because you have more contact with the ball and more chances on goal, so I like both positions."
His coach, too, likes what he sees.
"Matias is a very smart player," said Nowak. "He just needs some time to adapt to the team."
On the basis of his first two performances, Donnet is adapting just fine.
"What I liked the most about the club was the attention I received when I got here, both from the club and from other players," said Donnet. "I thought that everyone was really open with me and that helped me to get integrated here. In terms of the soccer, I'm getting comfortable little by little. I like the fields, the stadiums, how people fight for the ball."
The club's directors are also impressed by Donnet's quick integration into the team.
"It's always important that new players feel at home here," said Dave Kasper, United's Technical Director, who was influential in bringing Donnet to D.C. "I think that's what we've done with Matias. He is great in the locker room. He's got a great personality. I think that he's happy with his life off the field, too. In that sense, his integration has been good. In training and in games, he keeps on getting better day after day. We are very happy with his play."
A key factor in Donnet's quick study on life at United and in D.C. has undoubtedly been the help of his South American teammates -- Moreno, Gomez, and Erpen.
"Whenever you leave home and find Argentines in your new team it helps a lot," said Donnet. "They helped me a lot to find an apartment. Off the pitch, my girlfriend and I never feel alone. I think that that helped me to decide, 'I am going to stay in the U.S. because I feel good and comfortable and I've got people to spend time with.'"
A front-runner for this year's MLS MVP award, Gomez knows first-hand just how hard it can be to start a new life in a foreign country.
"For me, I've been here two years and I still don't have an easy time with it. My family is still in Argentina," said United's No. 10. "For him, having just arrived, it has to be even harder, but you know, that's what teammates are for -- to help each other through the tough times."
When Donnet had just arrived, any culture shock was reduced by the traditional Argentine barbecues known as 'parrillas' or 'asados' he had with his new teammates.
"I think that with any change, not just to a new country but to a new team and new language, it hits you hard because those are big changes," said Gomez. "But as the days and weeks go by, you start feeling better. Matias just keeps on getting better and better and the truth is against New York he played a great game and scored his first goal."
It was a very important goal, but it is surely only the beginning of what may be the latest edition in a long line of the South American success stories that have helped to make D.C. United a great club.
"It's nothing more than the start of his career here," said Nowak after the New York game. "We have to be patient with him. It's only his second game with us, but scoring a goal always makes you confident."
As United prepare for the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Black-and-Red will need all of Donnet's talent and experience.
"We know that he is a great player, that he can contribute a lot to the team," said Gomez. "He's showing it. He's a necessary guy to have in this final stretch of the season when it's do-or-die. The games will definitely be really hard and we are going to need players with that sort of experience and touch to help us break down opposing defenses."
With such an impressive footballing resume, especially at a club like Boca, there can be little doubt that Donnet could become the latest great South American addition to United's ranks. As they say, history repeats itself.
Note: The Donnet and Gomez interviews were conducted in Spanish and translated by the author.
