Former DC Player Needs Prayers Unfortunately I have a bit of bad news in this week of triumph. Former United player Antonio Otero was involved in a car accident near Fort Meyers a little over a week ago. He was in a coma for about five days but has recently opened his eyes. Otero played for United in 1999 and 2000. In those two years, he played in 25 games, starting 18. The midfielder had three assists. He scored a goal in a 1999 US Open Cup match and also in the third-place match in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a 2-2 draw with Chicago. After high school in Tampa, Antonio attended American University from where he joined United as a Project-40 player. He was traded to Miami Fusion in 2001 for a 3rd round pick (which United used on Craig Ziadie). He made one appearance with Miami. I know the thoughts and prayers of the United family will be with Antonio in these trying times.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Man that's so sad. Our prayers are with him. I'll call Todd West the head coach at AU and see if we can get him a card or something from La Barra and BigSoccer posters in general.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Antonio is a great kid. We'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers. Much love from your DC friends. Diane
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Terrible news. Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery to Antonio.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Absolutely horrible news. Here's hoping for a full and speedy recovery. Get well, Antonio.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Get well soon, Antonio. Prayers to him, his family, and the AU soccer community.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. We'll keep you and your family in our prayers, Antonio.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers This really is sad. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery! Tim
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Good luck and best wishes to Antonio and his family. I hope your recovery is quick.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers Godspeed for a full recovery, Antonio Otero. That picture makes him look like an oldtimer with the early MLS ball! Besides his stint with DC, I remember seeing him during an exciting first round NCAA tournament game (I believe) at AU against William & Mary. There was some pretty good talent on the field with Otero, Avery John (related to Stern John?) and a good forward (Pearson?) for AU while W&M had Adin Brown and Wade Barrett among others. The crowd stormed the field in celebration at the end of the game as AU won, IIRC in sudden death overtime.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers I was at that same game, that was my senior year at AU and we made a great run in the NCAAs. What terrible news re. Otero. I hope he makes a full recovery.
Re: Former DC Player Needs Prayers I was there for that game as well - I was a sophomore at the time. AU had Otero in the midfield, Avery John (Stern's cousin) as a sweeper and Scott Pearson up top; it was the best AU team since Brady's squads in the mid-80s. Pearson was the main goalscorer and got a lot of the attention, but Otero made that team work. I was always a big fan of his, especially when DC drafted him - it was nice to see a guy that sat two rows in front of me in a US History-ish class wearing the home black. Get well soon, Antonio... RS