Short on goals, points and even healthy bodies, it was hardly a secret that MLS stragglers D.C. United needed a bit of help.
But the identity of the capital club’s most imminent reinforcement nonetheless caused a major stir on Wednesday. In a move that surprised almost as many people inside the organization as outside, United have brought former league MVP and Golden Boot winner Luciano Emilio back into the fold and could have him in uniform as early as Saturday against the New York Red Bulls at RFK.
“One of my buddies who’s a fan also, he sent me a text and I didn’t believe it,” said D.C. midfielder Clyde Simms of his former teammate’s return. “But no, I think it’s great news. I felt like we needed another option [at striker] and Luchi’s been one of the best in the league at that in the past. So hopefully we can get him in shape and get him back to the form he was in a couple years ago.”
Emilio and United seemed to have split irrevocably over the offseason, when the club gauged the Brazilian’s declining production against his hefty designated-player salary and decided not to exercise their option on his contract.
The divorce turned rancid when Emilio sought to return to MLS this spring after a short stint in his homeland with Rio Branco, only for D.C. to bargain hard with the two teams --reportedly Philadelphia and Dallas -- interested in trading for him.
“I am very frustrated with this situation," he told TheWashington Post earlier this month. “I am not happy they are keeping me from working.”
But the Union, Emilio’s preferred destination, could not agree to terms with United, and on the field the D.C. attack stalled and sputtered even before enduring a rash of injuries ahead of a busy May. All the factors prompted both sides to rethink their positions and hash out an agreement.
“Well, we were able to reach a deal that fits our cap. That was the main consideration,” D.C. general manager Dave Kasper said on Wednesday. “If you’d asked us two weeks ago if that was possible, it’s not possible. Once a trade was not in the works, given our injury situation – plus a player who can be available right now – it was a no-brainer.”
Emilio, who owns a house in the Washington area and adapted well to life in the U.S., has done his part as well, accepting a substantially reduced wage package as part of a three-month deal. The arrangement gives “Luchigol” plenty of motivation and allows the Black-and-Red to re-evaluate their situation in July, when the international transfer window will offer further personnel options.
“It’s something that’s been in the works for a while and as far as I’m concerned, it’s another attacking player that has scored more than 40 goals in three years,” coach Curt Onalfo after United’s U.S. Open Cup play-in victory over FC Dallas on Wednesday. “So I’m extremely pleased to have him on our team.”
Emilio attended Wednesday night’s match and was in good spirits when he met with the team beforehand, and both Simms and Kasper dismissed the idea that any bad blood might linger from the striker’s winter exit.
“No. Luchi’s a professional. He’s a smart guy that way,” said Kasper. “We had a coffee this morning at Starbucks and he said: ‘I’m glad I’m coming home.’ That seems to be the question I’m getting most often, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
