Amidst the tremendous attention focused on David Beckham's historic MLS debut at RFK Stadium, fans could be forgiven for losing track of another absorbing subplot in D.C. United's 1-0 win against the LA Galaxy: Jaime Moreno's dogged pursuit of Jason Kreis' all-time league scoring record.
Following up on last weekend's brief cameo in New England -- a substitute appearance that was abbreviated by a flare-up of back spasms -- the Bolivian international and living United legend might have been the best player on the field in the second half on Thursday night.
"It was pretty loose," said Moreno of his troublesome lower back. "I think now I've got to get back to work on my fitness. I lost most of my fitness, so hopefully in the next days I'll have time to work on that so I can be back playing full time in the field."
Entering at halftime, Moreno coordinated his team's passing combinations in the attacking third and came oh-so-close to finding the net on several occasions, only to be denied by LA's Joe Cannon.
"He did, he did," said Moreno of the Galaxy netminder. "They were great saves. I had a couple chances that I could've scored, but it didn't happen. But I'm just so glad that we got the three points -- that means we keep on the winning streak."
Moreno's quest for the record has been repeatedly interrupted this season -- first by the renewal of his international career with the Bolivian national team, and more recently by a spate of injuries. But for all the speculation about the 33-year-old striker's health and advancing age, United's attack takes on a more composed and dangerous look with him in the lineup and head coach Tom Soehn has often lauded the value and influence of his captain's "soccer IQ."
Noting the large contingent of casual fans among the 46,686 in attendance on Thursday, Soehn was disappointed to see Moreno's bid for career goal No. 109 denied.
"I would've loved to have seen Jaime score today and break the goal record," said the D.C. boss, who had to contend with Moreno on several occasions during his playing career as a defender with Dallas and Chicago. "I know he tried real hard, and Joe [Cannon] tried real hard to stop him. But that would've made it even more special, for the fans who are new to the game to see someone like Jaime come out with a goal that important."
Moreno has netted all three of his 2007 tallies on penalty kicks, the last of which came on May 19 in Toronto. But the MLS original says he's feeling no anxiety as he continues his hunt for history -- aside from some light-hearted joshing from a certain significant other.
"I know that a lot of people talk about it," he said. "My wife actually is kind of pressuring me right now. I don't get desperate -- if it happens, it's going to happen. If it doesn't, I've just got to work on it. Unfortunately with my injuries, I haven't been able to get fully fit, so I've got to work on that and I think once I'm fit, I'll be able to score."
After United travel to California for Wednesday's SuperLiga semifinal against the Galaxy, Moreno's quest will resume in Columbus next Saturday when the Black-and-Red take on the Crew.
