Alecko Eskandarian announced yesterday through Steve Goff's Soccer Insider blog and his own Twitter account that he will be hanging up his boots for the time being due to continued complications of post-concussion syndrome. Eskandarian played for five MLS teams over seven years, including several successful seasons with DC United.
MFUSA reader and passionate United supporter Ted Meyer weighs in with a few words for Alecko.
by Ted Meyer
Alecko Eskandarian announced yesterday that he will be taking an indefinite leave from soccer. Eskandarian has suffered from post concussion syndrome since a collision in 2005 with New England goalkeeper Matt Reis. An event United fans still hold against Reis.
Even when he was traded to Real Salt Lake, then Chivas USA, and finally Los Angeles Galaxy, he was and always will be a member and fan favorite of the Black and Red. Alecko was drafted as the first overall pick in 2003 by D.C. United from the University of Virginia. He was a member of United’s 2004 MLS Cup team, the last United team to win the championship.. In the final he scored two goals and led an inspired comeback for United. He was named the MVP for the game. Also, he scored the opening goal in the 2004 Eastern Conference Final against New England, a match considered by many to be the greatest MLS match of all time.
However, he became a legend with D.C. fans in a game against New York. After scoring a goal, he took a swig of Red Bull and spit out on the field. It was event that Eric Wynalda responded not too well to. He was also fined for the incident and earned the hate of New York/New Jersey fans, which is where he grew up and where his father played in the NASL days. However, since New York is the bitter rival of D.C., most fans loved the goal celebration.
Even after his concussion, he still made an impact for D.C. United in 2006. He even earned his own catch phrase with the headgear he started wearing after the concussion. Fans made signs that said “Fear the Headgear.” It was a tad ridiculous, but still added to his lore.
For me, I have always been a fan of Alecko. I saw him play in his days at the University of Virginia where my father graduated. He was one of two Virginia players on United during the 2004 to 2006 season. He scored goals and was a real classic finisher for United, particularly in 2004. His tireless work ethic just added to the success I felt Alecko could have in this league. Even when he left for Chivas and the Galaxy, I still rooted for Alecko to be successful. He was player who never gave up and always worked for every goal. I still wish I could go back to days when Christian Gomez, Jaime Moreno, and Alecko Eskandarian made United such a dominant team in 2004 and 2006.
It is sad for me to hear that Alecko is taking a leave from soccer. He is not retiring, but at 27 I don’t know if he will return in the same way to MLS. However, I still believe he can come back. I still have hope that United will resurrect him like they did with Santino Quaranta in 2008. I know that it is completely different circumstances than what Santino went through. However, I still believe that Alecko still has the skill and ability to be a great player in MLS. If only Matt Reis hadn’t clubbed him in the head, maybe we would talk about Alecko pairing up with Jozy Altidore for the World Cup team in June. Ok, now I know I am being unrealistic.
Esky, if you are reading this, you are always welcome back in D.C. no matter if you are a player or not.
