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D.C. United midfielder Santino Quaranta announces retirement from professional soccer
The former U.S. national teamer calls it quits at the age of 27.
Dec 7, 2011 1:38:00 PM
By Seth Vertelney
D.C. United midfielder Santino Quaranta announced he will retire from professional soccer after 11 MLS seasons.
Quaranta, 27, joined United in 2001 after becoming the youngest-ever player drafted by MLS. During his 10-year D.C. United career, he played 159 matches (120 starts), scoring 24 goals and adding 29 assists. He played with the Galaxy and the Red Bulls between 2006 and 2007, but spent the majority of his career in the nation's capital.
“I have no regrets at all,” said Quaranta. “I have accomplished a lot in the game. That was a huge part of the decision; I felt like I have accomplished enough. In terms of the club and leaving D.C. United, it is a place that is near and dear to my heart."
Internationally, Quaranta earned 15 caps with the U.S. national team during his career, scoring one goal.
“Tino’s retirement from D.C. United is, for me, a bitter-sweet moment,” said United president and CEO Kevin Payne. “On the one hand, I’m sorry to see him end his playing days. But on the other hand, I’m so happy to see Santino enter a new phase in his life."
Quaranta will now focus his attention on a youth soccer program he helped create in Baltimore, and to assisting a substance abuse program that helped him overcome his own issues with drug and alcohol addiction.
Quaranta, 27, joined United in 2001 after becoming the youngest-ever player drafted by MLS. During his 10-year D.C. United career, he played 159 matches (120 starts), scoring 24 goals and adding 29 assists. He played with the Galaxy and the Red Bulls between 2006 and 2007, but spent the majority of his career in the nation's capital.
“I have no regrets at all,” said Quaranta. “I have accomplished a lot in the game. That was a huge part of the decision; I felt like I have accomplished enough. In terms of the club and leaving D.C. United, it is a place that is near and dear to my heart."
Internationally, Quaranta earned 15 caps with the U.S. national team during his career, scoring one goal.
“Tino’s retirement from D.C. United is, for me, a bitter-sweet moment,” said United president and CEO Kevin Payne. “On the one hand, I’m sorry to see him end his playing days. But on the other hand, I’m so happy to see Santino enter a new phase in his life."
Quaranta will now focus his attention on a youth soccer program he helped create in Baltimore, and to assisting a substance abuse program that helped him overcome his own issues with drug and alcohol addiction.
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