MLS Recognizes Marco Etcheverry
January 22, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Thursday, January 22, 2004) - Speaking via teleconference during today's event at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. honoring the retirement of D.C. United midfielder Marco Etcheverry, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber offered the following words:
"On behalf of Major League Soccer's investors, players, and most importantly, our fans, I want to thank Marco Etcheverry for his many contributions to the growth of the League. Marco's accomplishments on the field have been well-documented - seven All-Star selections, three MLS Cup Championships during the first four seasons, the 1996 MLS Cup MVP honor, the 1998 MLS Most Valuable Player Award, the 2002 MLS All-Star MVP recognition.
"But when I think of Marco Etcheverry, the man they call 'El Diablo,' the man who was the cornerstone of the early D.C. United dynasty, I think of fans sitting on the edge of their seats, mesmerized by Marco's technical ability and skill with the ball and the enormous intensity and passion Marco put forth in every D.C. United game.
"While his place at or near the top of several categories in the MLS record books is certainly to be revered, Marco will also be remembered for his true love of the game and the enormous impact and influence on his teammates. He earned the respect of everyone he touched, not only on the field but in the D.C. community, where he was an admired citizen."
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features many top stars from the United States and around the world and is America's Division I men's outdoor professional soccer league. The ten teams that compromise MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution and the Defending Champion San Jose Earthquakes. Major League Soccer's ninth season kicks off April 3, 2004. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at www.MLSnet.com.
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- MetroStars Eddie Gaven Becomes Youngest Player Ever to Appear on a U.S. Olympic Qualifying Team - New York Red Bulls
- Galaxy's Ricky Lewis One Step away from CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament - LA Galaxy
- MLS Recognizes Marco Etcheverry - MLS
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