United coach Tom Soehn said he did not hesitate to start Quaranta in the MLS home opener last month against Toronto FC because of his ability to attack. United hadn't scored in its two previous matches, so Quaranta was given the nod ahead of Franco Niell to find a spark.
The move paid off as United coasted to a 4-1 victory. Quaranta scored his second goal of the season in a victory late last month over Real Salt Lake, and it appears things are clicking again.
Quaranta's family is from Highlandtown and was around at a time when pickup soccer games were as common as playground basketball in the Bronx. Some attribute his early love of the game and meteoric rise through the ranks to his genes. His father, Tom, and uncle, Steve Quaranta, were All-Americans at what was then called Essex Community College.
Peter Caringi, the men's soccer coach at UMBC, has known Santino Quaranta since he was a boy and coached his father and uncle at Essex and on club teams. Caringi said Quaranta has been one of the top players at every level he has competed. Caringi has served as a mentor to Quaranta and said Quaranta is finally starting to understand that he can't always get by on just his natural ability.
"He is a natural soccer player, who now is obviously working hard for it," Caringi said. "When most kids are finishing high school or going to college, he was playing pro soccer. He had a lot of growing up to do at a young age."
John Ellinger, who coached Quaranta on the under-17 U.S. national team and is a former UMBC coach, remembers that Quaranta had remarkable skills even as a 10-year-old. Ellinger could not remember a time when he questioned Quaranta's commitment to the game under his tutelage.
However, Ellinger can understand some of Quaranta's problems because there is pressure put on young players who turn pro. Despite the recent struggles, Ellinger said Quaranta is still one of the top American-born players in MLS, and if he remains in shape, he still could have a future with the senior national team.
In 2001, Quaranta led the U.S. under-17 team with 11 assists and was second with 17 goals.
"Once he's fit, he is a machine," Ellinger said. "I love watching him play. I would buy a ticket to watch him play."
Before each United game, Quaranta will partner with a couple of other players and joyfully knock the ball around just like when he was a boy. However, the street lamps are now replaced with the stadium lights of RFK Stadium and the throng of 20,000 towel-waiving fans.
"I am starting for D.C. United again," Quaranta said. "I am scoring goals and competing. That is just because I finally put in the work that it takes."
One thing that has not changed is Quaranta's love of the game. His spends his days playing soccer and then goes home to his wife and 5-year-old daughter. Things are simple. The prodigy they called "Tino" has finally grown up. And he has finally found peace.
