Always approachable, always vocal, always at the center of the action, Louis Crayton is impossible to ignore.
Whether smiling or struggling, delighted or despondent, D.C. United's starting goalkeeper has quickly established himself as one of the most forceful presences in the locker room since signing in midsummer. Crayton arrived in Washington barely two months ago, yet his performances have become a central pillar of United's hopes for a late-season revival with two must-win matches remaining, beginning with the MLS Primetime Thursday matchup with the New England Revolution.
The Liberian international's outsized personality and rambunctious playing style has delighted and distressed fans, coaches and teammates in equal measure, a situation well-encapsulated by the topsy-turvy events of last week.
Crayton's poor touch on a Gonzalo Peralta back pass handed Chivas USA the all-important opening goal in a 3-0 setback that dealt a major blow to D.C.'s postseason prospects on Oct. 4. But the gaffe was soon followed by a gutsy, determined display -- he called it his "redemption day" -- to secure a precious 0-0 draw under difficult conditions in Houston on Sunday.
"It was unfortunate what happened -- in the end, that was a big play in the Chivas game and it was rough for him," said teammate Santino Quaranta. "He apologized ... he worked hard to redeem himself. He didn't have to do that for us, we know he's a good professional and we've got a lot of respect for the guy. But it helped, his performance."
Yet the final whistle at Robertson Stadium did not end Crayton's eventful evening. As the players left the field, he was accosted by racist taunts from a fan in the stands, prompting Crayton to vault a barrier and ask the man to explain himself.
"There are a lot of people out there whose minds are not broadened," said Crayton. "They should realize that we live in a different world now. We with a different skin color have tried to put this behind us, and every time something like this happens it brings back the question as whether all men are created equal. I believe definitely that all men are created equal. I would never say -- never, I use the word never -- say something that bad to any human being on this earth."
While the incident left an ugly blemish on the evening and shocked MLS observers, it's not the first such episode in his career and the longtime Swiss league veteran says similar insults have become all too common across much of Europe.
"I would say 98 percent [of African players] have had somebody come up and say something stupid," he said. "But you cannot blame that on everybody."
United's netminder has been gladdened by the steady stream of support he's received from Dynamo fans and officials, starting at the top with team president Oliver Luck, and he's eager to see his new league deal strongly with such bigotry.
"I'm glad that the league is stepping in with this, because it's going to portray a very bad image on the league," he said. "I don't think they want to let this happen. I saw it happen in Italy and in Spain, to my friend [FC Barcelona striker] Samuel Eto'o, and it was a very ugly situation. So I'm happy with the steps that the league is taking to stop this before it goes farther."
Crayton knows he must maintain his concentration, and his form, if his team is to overcome the odds and snag a last-minute playoff berth. The Black-and-Red attack has gone missing lately and with the availability of Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio compromised by nagging injury concerns, goals are likely to remain at a premium, leaving the D.C. rearguard no room for error.
"Just keep battling," said Moreno, when asked about United's outlook. "In the last couple games the team has worked very hard -- defensively they worked very hard and we've got to continue to do that. Offensively, we've got to create more chances."
In order for United to avoid missing the postseason for the first time in five years, a squad which has not won a match in some six weeks will have to earn maximum points against two of the league's best teams in the weeks ahead. But last week's two draws in league and CONCACAF Champions League play have stopped a six-game losing skid in all competitions and fittingly, their outspoken goalkeeper remains bullish.
"Something's happened," said Crayton of his team's budding self-belief. "We went to Costa Rica, we came out with a draw. We went to Houston, we came away with a draw. We've got two more games to go and for me, I still believe that impossible is nothing. Until the end, we're going to fight."
Charles Boehm are contributors to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
