D.C. United have played their traditionalrivals from New York dozens of times over the years. The teams battle for theannual Atlantic Cup trophy, and their fans, on occasion, have even tradedfisticuffs in the stands.
But with the arrival of the PhiladelphiaUnion this year, there’s a new gang along the I-95 corridor, one that’s positionedeven closer to the nation’s capital. Furthermore, they’ve nabbed a host offamiliar faces, with former D.C. boss Peter Nowak steering the expansion side,United alums Andrew Jacobson and Fred featured in midfield and retired wingerJosh Gros working as the Union’s team coordinator.
To hear United’s players tell it, thatinstantly makes the expansion side public enemy No. 1—and there’s been no lack ofgood-natured trash-talking among fans and players ahead of the clubs’ inauguralmeeting in Philly on Saturday afternoon.
“Oh, of course,” cracked SantinoQuaranta on Thursday, when asked if the Union have pushed New York down theD.C. hit list. “It’s right up the street. It’s got Peter and Fred and all theseguys. Andrew—you think Andrew Jacobson is going to have a foul or two [onSaturday]? He might have a foul.”
Boasting, graphic language and threats ofmild violence have already been flowing between the friends on either side ofthis new rivalry. Quaranta says he and Fred have been exchanging text messagesevery day and even the Brazilian’s younger brother, Júnior da Silva, who iscurrently on trial in D.C., may find himself in the line of fire as a result.
“[Fred] texts me every morning,” explaineda grinning Quaranta. “‘I’ll [bleep]-ing kick you,’ I told him this morning.‘Close your legs,’ he told me. ‘I’m going to kick your brother today inpractice,’ I told him.”
Supporters on both sides have had thisgame, the Union’s first-ever home match, circled on their calendar since it wasannounced. United expect Saturday’s traveling fan contingent to be one of the biggestin club history and the home side are bracing for more than 30,000 spectatorsto flock to Lincoln Financial Field, the Union’s temporary home whilethe construction of PPL Park is completed.
Curt Onalfo’s squad is fully aware of themagnitude of this historic event for the newborn club and its fans, not tomention Nowak, the hard-charging coach who led United to a 2004 MLS Cup title.
“[Peter] is a very competitive guy, as weall know, and he’s going to have his guys fired up,” United assistant coach andPennsylvania native Ben Olsen said. “A home opener in front of 40,000 at theLinc, it’s going to be a special atmosphere for them, and for our guys. I hopewe embrace it and go in there and do what we have to do.”
Some off-field intrigue has added evenmore spice to the mix. When goalkeeper Troy Perkins returned to the league overthe winter, Philadelphia were next in line in the allocation draft and Nowakheld his old club to ransom for the right to select Perkins, extracting Fred, aSuperDraft pick and allocation money in exchange.
The tables seem to turn this week as the Unionsought to acquire the rights to former United striker Luciano Emilio, but D.C. wantto make the most of their leverage and are haggling for the best possiblecompensation.
“We are speaking with multiple clubsinterested in acquiring the rights to Luciano,” United general manager DaveKasper told MLSsoccer.com via e-mail. “Luciano is a proven striker in MLS and wewill continue to weigh all of our options.”
According to Washington Post reports, D.C.’s tactics have infuriated theBrazilian, who finds himself in limbo despite his stated preference to joinNowak in Philly. But Emilio’s situation is only the appetizer served ahead ofthis weekend’s main course.
“They’re going to be ramped up and it’sgoing to be a really emotional game,” United midfielder Brandon Barklage said, “butI think we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
