There are hardly words to describe tonight's events...
Santino Quaranta gets his first cap for the U.S. Men's National Team since January of 2006. Then, in the second half, he scores the game-winning goal. And it all happend on his home pitch at RFK Stadium. In front of his family, friends and fans. All this, after battling back from what was a crippling drug addiction. 'Tino was understandably emotional after the game, coming close to tears on several ocassions.
I think I speak for everyone at D.C. United when I say.. we're all very proud to have Santino as a part of the D.C. United family. And, we know there's more to come from the young man.
Here's what Santino had to say after the game:
On the game 

"It was a very special night for me personally, but to be back wearing the jersey was probably more special. Just to be back on the field with the team, and to listen to the anthem was very emotional for me. It’s been such a fun and long road back."
More from Santino in the continution of the post, as well as comments from Freddy Adu and Troy Perkins on their old teammate...
On scoring in front of the home fans 

"It’s hard to explain, it was special. To be able to do it in front of my wife and my two kids was very special, and that’s the most important thing to me now. Bob [Bradley] said before we got on the bus ‘it’s only a game’ and I was trying to tell myself all day to enjoy it but it was difficult."
On hearing the national anthem 

"This means a lot to me. To be able to play for your country... before it didn’t mean as much to me as it does now. Like I said, it’s very special to be a part of this."
On the goal and his emotions 

"Charlie [Davies] did very well on the goal. I think he came in and changed the game for us as well as Benny [Feilhaber], he held the ball up and it was just a great layoff and I just tried to keep it on frame. But I mean a million things went through my head when I scored I was just so... I guess more proud to have done it here. Anywhere you score for your country it’s special, but to be able to do it here at RFK where it all started for me... it’s special. I keep going back to that, but it really is."
On his comeback to national team 

"I just wanted to come back and be a good person. I’ve just been enjoying life and I’ve been very happy off the field. I think being so happy at home has done well for me on the soccer field."
On the most important things 

"To get our team to the next round is the most important thing. The individual stuff comes, but first off we win, and that’s the most important thing. The other stuff is secondary."
Goalkeeper Troy Perkins
On Santino Quaranta 

"I was saying before the match how incredible it is to see a player who has so much poteential and talent in 2004/2005 when [Quaranta] was here with me and to see him come some far from being such a hole to being on top of the world. It’s only fitting that he scored."
On playing at RFK and playing with Quaranta 

"First, it was nice to be out there. Playing here for four years it brought back some good memories. But like I said before, it’s only fitting that Santino [Quaranta] got the first goal and it’s a great strike, a typical Santino strike. He is one hell of a guy, I congratulate him."
On Quaranta’s personal struggles 

"The guy has battled through a lot, he deserves this. It’s incredible, he scores a goal and obviously on his home pitch."
Freddy Adu
On Santino Quaranta 

"It’s great. Obviously being back in front of the home fans and getting a goal and basically man of the match honors, it’s great. I’m so happy for him. I said before the game he’s come a long way and now he’s back with the national team. Tonight he got out there and made a difference. Definitely helped the team out and definitely helped us win the game."
Santino scores his first career goal as a member of the U.S. Men's National Team.
(Both photos by Matt Gillis)
