I am drawing a total blank. What's up with Tino Quaranta? Is he healthy and warming the bench, or is he out for the year with some injury or other?
He's still coming back from injury. That is to say he can play, but I think it's more of getting him match fit and also not jeopardizing next season.
Tino is finally available. His only action for us has been as a late game sub in our shorthanded win away over the Mutts on Oct 9 and our first round playoff win over them on October 23. So after missing almost a whole year he's played in 2 of our last 5 games. The toxic fumes from the Swamp must be good for his rehab.
Q1 is 100% healthy now. In fact, he's more than healthy. Much like Rimando's injury-surgery-rest-recovery brought him back better than ever, Q1 is significantly stronger, faster, and most importantly, much more professional in attitude. Today in the final minutes of practice he was launching drives from 30+ yards out with high velocity and good accuracy. His contract ends at the end of this season. He desperately wants to remain with DCUnited, but he understands the various possibilities with the expansion draft and new contract. A great deal of chatter on these boards has been whether or not to protect Q1 from the expansion draft. I think the more relevent question that hasn't been talked about is, what happens if Q1 decides to spend the off-season on trial overseas? I know many haven't had the chance to see him play much this season, but I think he's on the verge of a breakout.
Hopefully that breakout is in MLS and with DC United. We certainly deserve that. Q1 might be better of if it were too. He needs to prove (as much to himself) that he can be a professional in this league and a good MLS season would build his confidence (a la EJ) enough to perhaps deal with the challenges of playing abroad. Thanks for the eyewitness viewpoint Dice. Let's keep this on the down low though or else he may be sporting a RSL jersey next year (though I doubt it).
Don't forget his performance vs. Municipal at RFK Stadium - The opponent wasn't much, but still a solid effort from Q1.
I hadn't thought about a move overseas. I think he might be able to get a trial or two based on his reputation, but if I was a manager I would want to see him healthy for an extended period of time before I brought him to my team. However I think if he stays in MLS it will be with United...he has far too much talent to be let go for nothing.
I say you absolutely keep Tino on the roster. His upside and potential are HUGE. He IS the future of DC United and gives us that big strong presence we need up front. With Thiago going under the surgeons knife once again, I can't see how you would let Tino get away.
Before he got injured in 2002 I thought he was our most dangerous player. I think the league should give him a 2 year contract and maybe sell him if he has a breakout year next season. Excellent report, Dice Man!