D.C. United's supporters sometimes refer to him as "The Godfather of Goals," both a tribute to his scoring prowess and a playful nod to the literal English translation of his name -- and the moniker was more appropriate than ever as Jaime Moreno ascended to the top of the all-time Major League Soccer goalscoring charts with his 109th league tally at RFK Stadium on Wednesday night.
Calmly dispatching a 48th-minute penalty kick past New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus, the 33-year-old finally surpassed the mark held by Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis, who notched 108 league goals over a distinguished career with Real and the Dallas Burn.
"Benny [Olsen] told me to go ahead and get it over with. I always knew the record didn't matter to me. For me, in the back of my head, the main thing is the team," Moreno said. "I think everyone knows it's a big achievement, proving I work hard for this. Anything you do is because you work hard at it, and nobody can take it from you. I'm proud, and now I'm just going to keep working, keep scoring, and we'll see what happens."
Though Moreno's scoring output has diminished this year, it was a moment that has seemed inevitable since Kreis concluded his playing career in May, as D.C. coach Tom Soehn alluded to in his postgame reaction.
"I am glad it's over with," said Soehn. "No matter who it is, and you see it in every sport, when you have something like that lingering over you, just the relief of getting it over with. I'm glad it's done and he deserves it. He's done a lot for this league. But it's in the past now, and I hope he lights it up and runs away with it."
But Moreno's historic achievement would have been almost inconceivable to most observers just a few short seasons ago, when the Bolivian star was debilitated by a series of injuries that placed his career in serious jeopardy.
Traded to New York in 2003, he struggled to contribute and had to undergo season-ending back surgery on a pair of herniated disks. His future looked foggy, but United decided to take a flier on their old hero, re-acquiring him in the offseason as new head coach Peter Nowak looked to reawaken the Black-and-Red's dormant dynasty.
"The main concern was his health, and he got over that hump," said United technical director Dave Kasper on Wednesday night. "And he did it through a lot of hard work and determination -- it was not easy for him. I don't know that we could've imagined his resurgence the way it was, but we're certainly happy with what has happened and we're very pleased to have him here in the locker room. He's just an amazing person."
After rehabilitating his back in the offseason, Moreno surged back to life in spectacular fashion, leading United to an unprecedented fourth MLS Cup title with seven goals and 14 assists.
"It just shows the class of player he is," said Kasper. "He had a tough stretch there in 2003, he came back in 2004 and proved everyone wrong. So the guy still has an engine."
Once a pacey greyhound of a frontrunner, Moreno evolved into a crafty withdrawn striker able to hold possession effortlessly and coordinate his team's attack.
"He came in as a goalscorer and has developed into a guy who has learned what his body is about and is more of a playmaker," said Soehn. "He has been able to adapt and not everyone can do that. You've got to give him a lot of credit. He has been able to adapt to what he can do and what the game asks of him, and he does a great job."
Moreno has also become the living embodiment of his club's pride and tradition, a team captain whose consistency and intensity inspires teammates and fans alike.
"I couldn't imagine being on the team without him -- he's great," said midfielder Clyde Simms. "Usually the older guys, the veterans take it easy in practice, especially at his age. But he never takes a break. You see that, and it motivates us younger players a lot. He's a great example."
Over the last three seasons, Moreno has been playmaker Christian Gomez's main partner on the field and a fast friend off it, helping the Argentinean and his family settle into life in the United States. On Wednesday night, Gomez paid tribute to his fellow South American.
"I'm proud to share the locker room with him," he said of Moreno. "He's obviously an idol, one of the last idols of D.C. United, and for him to have the scoring record in MLS is an honor. For me, I'm just happy that I'm one of his teammates."
Moreno's desire for another championship still burns brightly, and with United rounding into form as the playoffs approach, that aspiration might yet be fulfilled when MLS Cup 2007 takes place at RFK in November. His competitive fire could yet propel him to play well into the future -- but when he finally does call time on his illustrious career, his club has made it clear that he'll always be welcome on East Capitol Street.
"Hopefully we won't have to think about that for a long time," said Kasper with a grin, "but when that day comes, whether it's four years, five years, six years, we hope he's part of the organization."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
