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07/11/00- Updated 01:45 AM ET

 

PHOTO: DC United's Marco Etcheverry tries to score against Columbus goalie Juergen Sommer. (William Philpott, AP)

Etcheverry's injuries pain D.C. United

By José Alfredo Flores, USA TODAY

Marco Etcheverry's pain has created a world of hurt for D.C. United.

Etcheverry, whose nickname is "El Diablo," has struggled this season because of a number of injuries related to his knee ligament surgery in 1993. That, combined with his travel to Bolivia's World Cup qualifiers, makes for one exhausted devil.

"I've traveled too much and haven't had time to rest," Etcheverry says in his native Spanish. "I'm very tired."

Despite that, Etcheverry leads the team in assists (seven, 10th in league) and is second in goals (four).

But the numbers might be deceiving. Stories have been written suggesting Etcheverry is no longer the dominant maestro of the midfield Major League Soccer has known and that he no longer tries to take on defenders off the dribble the way he used to.

"He definitely needs more rest," Colorado Rapids defender Marcelo Balboa says. "A lot of the players on that team (D.C. United) are getting fatigued."

Balboa, a member of the U.S. national team, knows what Etcheverry is going through. "It's tough for any player to travel some 4,000 miles and come back and play for his club team one day later," Balboa says.

Etcheverry, 29, has had to deal with this kind of traveling for the past 16 years.

"It's like traveling from one day to another," Etcheverry says.

He also has played hurt for most of the season after surgery last December to remove scar tissue from the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He reinjured the knee in February in training camp.

"He tries to compensate for his knee, putting stress on other parts of his body," United trainer Rick Guter says. That has resulted in problems with his calves and hamstrings, forcing him to miss the first half of the season opener March 25 against Los Angeles and the May 13 match against New England.

"He didn't get fit early in the season," United general manager Kevin Payne says. "He has struggled with minor injuries as a result."

But Payne remains optimistic despite his club's 4-13 record. "He'll come around and be the leader we need him to be," Payne says.

Says Etcheverry: "Our team is getting used to losing. I'm trying to change that. I am not satisfied with us losing."

Etcheverry's competitive drive was key to Bolivia's trip to the 1994 World Cup, the nation's first appearance in 44 years. He also has won national championships in four countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, USA). Etcheverry, the 1998 league MVP, is the MLS all-time assist leader with 73 and holds the season assists record with 19.

Now his Bolivia and United teams are struggling. Bolivia (0-3-1) is last in CONMEBOL in World Cup 2002 qualifying competition. D.C. United also is at the bottom of the MLS standings after dominating the league the last four seasons.

"I'm very sad," Etcheverry says. "This is the hardest season I've had by far."

Etcheverry, with the frustration of losing at home and abroad, has even contemplated leaving MLS at the end of the season. Earlier this month, he said, "In a few weeks I will have a clearer sense of what will be my future (in this league)."

Two weeks later, Etcheverry, whose MLS contract runs through 2001, hasn't made a decision. "He is leaning toward one or two more years," says his wife, Elva.

Etcheverry is important to MLS' success. He has helped United win three of the four MLS Cups.

"Marco was a great leader and he made that team into a championship team," U.S. national team and former United coach Bruce Arena says.







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