For more than 400 D.C. United games since 1997, Danilo Noel Diron sat at a microphone, serving as the color analyst for Radio America broadcasts of the Black-and-Red. Danilo is a legend among his MLS counterparts for his smooth delivery and his razor sharp analysis. He is also famous in the local Hispanic community for his insightful and entertaining afternoon sports talk show, 'La Mesa Redonda del Futbol.' The man who described himself as "United's number one fan" passed away Friday evening at his McLean, VA home.
A man who visited RFK Stadium daily for both business and personal reasons, Diron is perhaps the ideal example of what it means to be a part of the United family. Never a meeting went by in which he didn't stop for a warm embrace, questions about someone's mother, wife, children...his caring evident. Following United's MLS Cup victory in 2004, Washington Post columnist Mike Wise profiled Diron, his lengthy battle with liver cancer and his relationship with Jaime Moreno. Within, he captured the essence of Danilo's ties to United's most legendary player and the franchise as a whole.
Danilo Noel Diron will be greatly, greatly missed. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his wife Teresa, daughters Lorena and Paula and the entire Radio America family.
We'll be back as we can with additional information.
