WASHINGTON – The two players in Major League Soccer history with 100 career goals and 100 career assists were both at RFK Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
One, Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy, added another assist to his totals by setting up Robbie Keane in the first half of LA’s 2-2 draw with D.C. United.
The other, the legendary Jaime Moreno, was inducted into United’s Hall of Tradition in a memorable halftime ceremony that drew heavy applause and cheers from the 16,233 fans in attendance.
“It’s awesome for people to recognize you for things that you’ve done throughout your career,” Moreno said. “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s very hard to explain. The one thing you realize is that you’ve done the right things. That’s the only chance you get. I’m so grateful that people still recognize me, and it’s a great feeling.”
Moreno was joined at midfield by some of United’s more historic names during the induction, including Galaxy coach Bruce Arena and former D.C. president Kevin Payne as he became the club's 10th member in the Hall of Tradition.
“Whenever people ask me about Jamie, the first thing that comes to mind is how easy he made the game look,” said D.C. coach Ben Olsen. “And it was such a struggle for a lot of us to get through it and grow and evolve and understand the way to play this game. He just never seemed to have that problem. He always got it.”
Moreno is currently second all-time on the MLS scoring charts with 133 goals, one behind Jeff Cunningham and one ahead of Donovan. He was the first player in league history to reach the 100-goal, 100-assist plateau and finished with 102 assists when he retired in 2010.
The Bolivian striker was a five-time MLS Best XI selection, seven-time MLS All-Star and won the Golden Boot in 1997. He ranks first in United history in 15 statistical categories and played a part in all 12 of D.C.’s major domestic and international trophies.
“As individuals, you have to get better not just on the field, but off the field, too,” Moreno said. "It’s a package that you have to complete and make sure that you do the right things."
In addition to being honored, Moreno said it was meaningful to have Donovan in the stadium – as well as 100-goal scorer Dwayne De Rosario – in quite the collection of all-time MLS talent.
“Players like [Donovan], they continue growing and they continue bringing the right things to the league, they are going to get honored and they are going to get recognized. I don’t have a doubt on that,” he said.
Olsen – who was inducted last season – said it was important for him, despite actively coaching his club against the Galaxy, to be on the field at halftime to celebrate Moreno’s induction.
“He was always a step ahead of everybody else,” Olsen said. “It was a joy to be on the field with him and it was a joy to be at the helm toward the end of his career. It’s good for him to be back with us for the weekend and for us to be celebrating him because he’s a big part of what this club is.”
Nick Cammarota covers D.C. United for MLSsoccer.com.
