Santino Quaranta - Baltimore Sun article

[John_Harkes_6]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.quaranta24jul24,1,7605709.story

Some key highlights:

Four weeks ago, when Quaranta was called up to the U.S. team during the MLS season, Nowak gave his blessing.

"He deserved the call," Nowak said. "This is the first step to establish himself on our team."


"Santino was hurt for so many months, for so many years," Nowak said, "but this preseason he was very hot and we just want to keep him healthy."

His coach said Quaranta's newly found work ethic may be keeping him healthy. While the 20-year-old forward used to "roll out of bed to go to practice," Nowak said, Quaranta now shows up early.

"This season is probably the hardest I've worked in the last four years," he said. "I feel I'm a better player because I'm smarter and more mature."

[Doctor Woo]

And it shows. I was impressed with how Tino was running at players today, more than I have seen with DCU. He looked consistently dangerous the whole time he was on the pitch.

[Zman Gunner]

Just got back from the Gold Cup Final - Quaranta looked very dangerous after entering the game as a sub - his slashing runs were giving Panama lots of troubles. In the PK tie-breaker, his PK was buried in the lower right corner of the net - the same place that he buried PK's last year against Notts Forest and teh Revs (in the playoffs). He might be getting on a roll like Esky did last year in terms of playing with loads of confidence.

[GoDizzGo]

He's looked good, but keep in mind he looked impressive late against a Panamanian team that didn't have the depth to rotate their players.

[beltwayrob]

OK so I got home last night from NJ, and I was getting the smell of the swamp out of my clothes and off my body when I was thinking. Damn, Tino looked GREAT! While some argue Tino wadn't too hot defensively I'd say he did no worse than anyone else on the US side last night. Offensively, he provided an awesome spark, making some smart moves down the line, and some awesome crosses.

Nice right-up in the B-more Sun, well deserved for Tino. Let's just hope he brings this fire back with him to DC United.