MLS D.C. United

Marco Etcheverry Ends Career With D.C. United

Published on January 21, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHANTILLY, VA (January 21, 2004) - D.C. United announced today that midfielder Marco Etcheverry has ended his eight-year stay with the club. The 33-year-old playmaker will pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.

"It's impossible to quantify the importance of Marco Etcheverry to D.C. United," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "Marco was a great teammate, a great champion and a great friend. I think in years to come he will be looked at as one of the most important players in the history of sports teams in Washington, D.C. He certainly has been the most important player in these early years of Major League Soccer. He will be missed but when he's done playing, he will always have a home at D.C. United."

Etcheverry was the only player remaining from United's inaugural 1996 season and finished his 8th MLS campaign as United's top scorer with 19 points on six goals and seven assists in 2003. One of his goals served as a game-winner, while four others helped D.C. to earn draws. He appeared in 25 games for the Black-and-Red last year, including 21 as a starter.

A seven-time MLS All-Star, Etcheverry is one of the most accomplished players in league history. Etcheverry's cultured left foot carried the Black-and-Red to MLS Cup titles in 1996, 1997, and 1999 and garnered the Bolivian international league Most Valuable Player honors in 1998 and MLS Cup MVP honors in 1996. The talented playmaker earned MVP honors for the 2002 Pepsi All-Star Game played at RFK Stadium on Aug. 3. He is MLS's third all-time assist leader with 101 and was named to the league's Best XI squad four consecutive seasons from 1996-1999.

"I want to thank all of the fans for their wonderful support of myself and the team during the last eight years," said Etcheverry. "I want to let the fans know that I will always be a part of the D.C. United family. Now, I will be just like them, cheering the team on from the outside. D.C. United is a great institution. It is incredible everything that we accomplished with D.C. United. Winning three MLS championships, the InterAmerican Cup, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the U.S. Open Cup were great accomplishments during my career. I will always cherish the great memories here in Washington."

Etcheverry leaves as United's all-time leader in assists (101), games played (191), games started (180), minutes played (16,305) and game-winning assists (25). He ranks second all-time in scoring with 169 points on 34 goals and 101 assists.

A graduate of the world famous Tahuichi Academy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Etcheverry has made 72 international appearances and scored 13 goals for the Bolivian national team. He played in one match for his country in the 1994 World Cup, appearing in Bolivia's opening match against Germany.

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