Since announcing his retirement last week, KurtMorsink has lived a bit of a double life.
On Monday the 28-year-old played all ninetyminutes in a reserve league win over New York. The next day Morsink attended a nearby training session toscout the Paraguayan national team, in town for a Wednesday friendly againstGuatemala.
On Wednesday, as he settled into his new locker- a cubicle lodged in what used to be the players lounge at RFK – D.C. United’snew Scouting Coordinator shared some thoughts on the end of a six-year playingcareer and what he hopes to accomplish next.
“It’s tough when you are not playing week in andweek out,” said Morsink, who struggled this season to overcome a nerve issue inhis left foot. “This is a greatopportunity. I grew up a D.C.United fan, so this was the perfect opportunity to continue to help thisclub.”
General Manager Dave Kasper also chose the wordperfect in describing Morsink’s well-rounded candidacy. A four-year player at James MadisonUniversity, Morsink knows the college game - a source that has delivered key talentsto D.C. in recent years - well. TheCosta Rican native also has a unique understanding of the convoluted youthsystems of Latin America, which should give him a leg up oninternational scouting trips.
As the club’s first-ever full-time scout,Morsink will be a trailblazer in his new job.
“I’m going to try to get the best players tothis club, period,” Morsink said confidently. “Whether it’s college players, USL players, foreign players. My main goal is for every player thatcomes here – no matter where he comes from or what he costs the club – tocontribute to our team in some way.”
Morsink’s front office move is the latestevidence of progress since the club’s new investors teamed with Will Changback in early July. At theirintroductory press conference, Managing Partner Erick Thohir boldly championedthe idea of D.C. United as a global brand.
Within days, the new investors backed theirlofty goals with real-world resources.
“We want to turn over more rocks,” Kasperexplained. “There were playersthat we just can’t get to right now with the technical staff being just thecoaches and myself. [The newinvestors] were immediately on board. It’s in line with their vision for D.C. United.”
D.C. United returns home this Sunday, as they take on the Philadelphia Union at 5:00PM - PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE
