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It's because we see something in the game that we see in ourselves.
His name was announced with slight fanfare, mostly drowned out by the thousands of blue and white-clad cheering Hondurans in attendance. An enormous amount of sound is still capable of radiating through our stadium's old bones and cavernous corridors.
The perception is that this tournament doesn't really mean much in the grand scheme of things. It's a "B" team cup. A nicety. Something to watch while we wait for more important soccer matters.
Despite that, something good was going to happen at RFK last night. And if those in the stands didn't explicitly acknowledge that fact, they were hoping for it, thinking of it, willing for it to happen. Because in the often-mythic world of soccer, those kinds of occurrences are what makes the patient build justifiable. And even though such things are so often attributed as the work of fate or magic, they are more times than not the work of one individual and their desire.
It's because we see something in one player that we see in ourselves.
Santino Quaranta will be the first to admit that he's made some mistakes, ones that brought him to the brink of losing it all. But if our heroes have taught us anything, it is that one man's mistakes hardly define him. So what a moment it must have been for the Marylander: To see his name on that pinstriped jersey. To proudly walk out in front of a massive crowd in a stadium where he's labored to assert his tenacity. To be in front of his people, his wife, his children. To listen to the anthem of his country. To rest his hand over his chest and soak in one unforgettable moment. To quietly let the tears well up in his eyes.
It's because we see something in one play that we see in ourselves.
In a game rocking between two sides like a boat on the high sea, Quaranta gave an all-out effort. After all, he'd know better than most that the next chance he'll get to make this kind of impression could be months away, years away, never to be seen again. But it was one play, one movement, which cemented this night as one that the D.C. United man will never forget. Robbie Rogers moved quickly down the left flank; then some outstanding pinball movement by Benny Feilhaber and Charlie Davies, and suddenly, the ball came into the area, quick and tight. Davies laid the ball down; Quaranta, cougar-like, saw the play develop and pounced on the speedy striker's clever lay-off.
Then: boot, ball, net. And, for good measure, a slide on the knees into the frenzied masses, who were all prepared to shower the hero of the day in a collective embrace -- near total redemption, in but a few short seconds.
It's because we hear something in their words which we use to inspire ourselves.
Quaranta, on this night: "It was a very special night for me, personally...just to be back on the field with the team. To listen to the anthem was very emotional for me. It's been such a fun and long road back. I was [overcome]. It's hard to explain. To be able to do it in front of my wife and my two kids...I just wanted to come back and be a good person and once that all started falling into place soccer came next. I've been enjoying life, I've been very happy off the field, like I said today. And I think being so happy at home has really done well for me on the soccer field."
It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves.
That, my friends, is why we watch.
[Ed. Note: We'll have our regular recap of the Americans' 2-0 victory later this afternoon.]
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Well written piece, Aaron - it gave me chills. Just one small correction - I believe the leadup to Quaranta's goal was as follows:
Rogers - Feilhaber - Ching - Feilhaber - Davies - Quaranta.
Just want the young striker (Davies) to get some credit for his vision and selflessness.
Ah, yes, you are correct. My notes from that section of the match are borderline illegible due to the rush of thoughts after watching the goal.
I'll definitely be touching on Davies in the overall recap this afternoon, though -- so no worries about him getting his due. He was great last night.
I'm impressed you could even take notes in that environment! I was way too busy jumping up and down/avoiding the rain of liquid from above.
Again - well written story. I look forward to the full game recap this afternoon.
That man's legs are 40 feet long!
I'll admit to a great deal of soccer ignorance and just say that I have no idea what you're talking about. Could somebody provide a bit of this guy's backstory to explain why we're all misty-eyed about this goal?
Not saying it's not worth getting choked up about. Just saying this article doesn't give me any clue why. It took me a second reading to figure out we weren't talking about DC United here.
So no need to call me soccer-ignorant. I'm admitting it. But it sounds like maybe a good story if the facts are inserted. Little help?
Here's a link to a Post article detailing his background:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/13/ST2008061303417.html
Thanks for helping to connect the dots. Indeed a great story.
Much appreciated.
Tennis and now more soccer? Where is the coverage of the DC Whizz, DC's professional Beer Pong team?
Oh, and can someone tell me where the Washington Generals play their home games? I heard their arena might be in Swampoodle.
So this guy cured cancer???
Oh wait, he just scored a goal in a B rated tournament.
Hater.
I'm just jealous you have a sport to root for...I'm in my sports fan off-season. Tennis, golf, and soccer don't really fill my football and hockey jones. baseball doesn't mean anything until Mid Aug/Sept, and I find myself hating baseball more and more anyway.
What are you talking about? Canadian football season started last Friday. It's like real football, but with more eh, ya hoser.
This week's CFL game of the week: Montreal Poutine v. Newfoundland Sheepshaggers. Tomorrow at 8 on Comcast Metric Sports. Also, since the exchange rate has appreciated, they've shortened the CFL field from 110 yards to 90 yards.
Compliments on the well written piece. You're dead on when you say all of us in the stands were hoping for that goal.
Yea, 'B' rate tournament. It's true. Still, any US fan that was there knows the Hondurans in the crowd made it feel like a big time match. And regardless of the game's meaning, the moment was sweet for all of us United fans that have watched Quaranta rise, fall and come back stronger.
Great article - well done! I wish I could've been at the game but was watching at home and will admit to some tears when Quaranta scored... what a great moment. I'm rooting for this kid to continue to succeed.