D.C. United and Luciano Emilio are parting ways, the club revealed on its official blog. The team has chosen not to exercise its option on the former MLS MVP, who failed to score in league play in his return to the Nation's Capital.
Emilio returned to United this past April on a three-month contract after spending last season at Brazilian lower-division club Rio Branco. But the 31-year-old appeared in only four MLS games for DC this season and made little impact, though he did score a goal in US Open Cup play and in a friendly against AC Milan.
The Brazilian's 41 career goals for DC puts him at fourth on the scoring sheets in club history. Emilio burst onto the MLS scene in 2007, when he scored a league-leading 20 goals and took home MVP honors in helping United win the Supporters' Shield.
"To all of the fans, you have been so good to me," Emilio told DC's Behind the Badge blog. "Thank you for all of your support. I had a great time here, but now I think that time has gone. I will always remember the way people treated me here, and wherever I am in the world, if I see United supporters they will be friends to me."
United also announced that forward Adam Cristman will fly to Germany for hernia surgery. He is due to return to DC next week, and will undergo rehab.
