Following training today, United midfielder Santino Quaranta took time to speak with Behind the Badge. Earlier this week, the good folks at ESPN released a feature chronicling Quaranta's rise from addiction and his return to prominence with D.C. United. During preseason training in Charleston, SC, ESPN came down to speak with Quaranta, Jaime Moreno, Ben Olsen, and others about the midfielder's unique story. The end result is compelling and inspirational, and if you haven't seen it yet the piece is certainly worth watching. 

When asked about the piece, Quaranta stated, "It was great. I was humbled, and I think they [ESPN] portrayed the story well. It is always tough to fit someone's tale into a few minutes, but [producter] Gus Coletti did a great job. My wife is happy with it, and I think it is something to be proud of."

Quaranta continues, "You never want to get too high or too low in life, and I think it is a good piece to learn from - hopefully it can help someone else."

Following these comments the conversation turned to a more colorful subject, one of Quaranta's favorites: Floyd Mayweather. With the iconic boxer scheduled to fight Shane Mosley this weekend in Las Vegas, at least one person in the D.C. United organization is pleased with Saturday's early kickoff time against New York.

"I'm so happy we have a four p.m. kickoff on Saturday [against New York at RFK Stadium]. Mayweather is a big timer, and I'm so happy I don't have to miss the fight," said Quaranta. When asked for a prediction we received a wry smile as the midfielder said, "Floyd [Mayweather] is just going to beat him up. Shane [Mosley] may give him a fight, but Mayweather is a prize fighter, end of story."

Following this week's round of European football action, Quaranta turned his attention to another flamboyant figure aside from Mayweather. "My boy Jose Mourinho is rolling, no question about that. He's the chosen one, and Inter Milan are going to win the Champions League." 

Whether Inter can in fact capture the biggest prize in club football remains open to debate, but the tenacity of this weekend's rivalry between United and New York is undisputed. With the Black-and-Red looking to claim their first points of the League campaign following a 4-2 triumph over Dallas in the U.S. Open Cup, the stakes are high in this early season encounter. 

Said Quaranta, "There is no need for incentive here. We know what this rivalry means and how important this game is - enough said."