Quaranta Re-Ups With DC

The following is a press release from Major League Soccer --

WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 6, 2009) MLS -- DC United announced today the re-signing of midfielder Santino Quaranta. Last season, Quaranta came back to the club where he began his career and posted his best season so far. Per team and League policy, terms of the agreement will not be released.

“Santino is very deserving of a new contract,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper.  “He had his best season as a professional for us in 2008, and he will be a significant part of our team moving forward. Santino's best soccer is ahead of him, and we are thrilled to have him back with us for the long term.”

Quaranta began his second stint in DC in 2008 and went on to have the best season of his career. He produced career-highs in games played (27), started (23), minutes (1,963), and goals (5).  His Week 24 goal - in a 2-1 loss to San Jose on 9/6 - was tabbed as the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week.  In all competitions, the 24 year-old played in 35 games (30 starts) and tallied six goals and six assists. His stellar season earned him United’s year-end team awards for Fans’ Choice and Coaches Award.

The Baltimore native began his professional career with the Black-and-Red, as the eighth overall pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft.  The sixteen-year-old phenom immediately excelled in the League, netting five goals and one assist in just 16 games (10 starts) during the 2001 season.  Quaranta started all 11 games he played in during the 2002 season, scoring three goals and adding four assists, but missed almost two-thirds of the season with injuries.  He played in 12 games (eight starts) of the 2003 campaign, one in 2004, then netted five goals and five assists in 18 games played (13 starts) during the 2005 campaign.  Quaranta started the 2006 season as a member of the Black-and-Red but was soon sent to the LA Galaxy, where he played in 12 games (10 starts) and scored three goals. In 2007, after playing six games with the Galaxy, Quaranta was traded to the New York Red Bulls, where he saw action in just three matches before being sidelined for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Quaranta has represented the United States at all levels of international play.  He starred with the U-17 and U-20 teams, and played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. After coming back from injuries, Quaranta received his first cap for the senior team on 7/7/05 in a Gold Cup match against Cuba, and converted a penalty kick in the United States' shootout victory over Panama in the Gold Cup championship game.  In all, he has nine appearances (three starts) with the full U.S. Men’s National Team.