Just weeks ago, few people would have tabbedMaicon Santos to be D.C. United's leading scorer at any point during the 2012season. But after netting theequalizer in D.C.'s 1-1 draw with Montreal on Wednesday, Santos strengthenedhis claim as the Black-and-Red's top marksman while moving into the top five onMajor League Soccer's scoring chart.
"He has been great," United headcoach Ben Olsen said after the match. "He's a handful up there and he's playing with a lot of confidenceright now. We are trying to gethim to face goal more because we know he hits a stinger."
A stinger is exactly what Santos unleashed whenhe beat Donovan Ricketts just twelve minutes after coming on as second-halfsubstitute. Perry Kitchen providedthe pass and Santos sliced past Felipe Martins - a fellow Brazilian with whomhe exchanged jerseys after the match - before firing with his potent leftfoot. Ricketts never had a chanceas the veteran goalkeeper got a late jump on Santos' rip.
The sequence was further proof of the growingconfidence Olsen is seeing from his target forward. Despite putting just one of his first nine shots of theseason on frame, D.C.'s coaching staff has relentlessly encouraged Santos toshoot.
"They keep telling me that every time Ihave space to just shoot no matter what," said Santos, who celebrated his birthday by picking up hisfourth goal of the campaign. "It's either going to be a [rebound] or you are going toscore."
The 28-year-old is clearly listening to theadvice. On Wednesday night, he tookeight shots in just thirty minutes of playing time while bringing an immediatepresence to United's attack. D.C.had been unable to hold the ball in the final third through the first hour of play, but thatchanged as soon as Santos took the field.
"When he came in there was an instantchange," noted Kitchen. "We started getting more chances, becoming more dangerous. That is something he brings to thetable and he has been doing it well the last few games."
"I didn't think he could go another ninety [minutes],"Olsen added when asked about the decision to bring Santos off the bench againstMontreal. "We've been reallygrinding him out and he's worked as hard as he has - defensively - in hisentire career. It has reallyhelped him get fitter and he has been very good for us."
» Buy a #29 M SANTOS jersey
» Vote for the Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers Man of the Match
