D.C. United's all-time leading goalscorer Jaime Moreno accrued 14 seasons worth of memories at historic RFK Stadium. His favorite? His goal on Saturday, April 3, 2004, against the San Jose Earthquakes.
While Moreno's goal against the Earthquakes may seem like a blip on the radar of an incredibly storied career, the score symbolized the start of a major comeback for the Bolivian. Beginning in 2002, Moreno struggled with injury and saw limited action for the Black-and-Red. The forward's 2003 season was also tainted from injury, as Moreno was placed on injured reserve in August, and later underwent surgery to repair a pair of herniated disks in his back.
While the surgery could have been career ending, Moreno tirelessly worked to recover and return to the pitch, grinding through the 2004 preseason in spite of any pain or difficulties he was experiencing.
As Moreno was finally able to return to game action for the Black-and-Red, he got back to his crafty, prolific goal-scoring self. The Bolivian was able to rejuvenate his career after recovering from surgery, but his first breakthrough post-injury came during a home match against the Earthquakes in April of 2004. United earned a free kick just outside San Jose's box, and Earnie Stewart sent a ball into the six-yard box toward Moreno. Moreno lost his defender and flicked a header past the Earthquakes' goalkeeper to give United a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.
San Jose equalized in the 19th minute, but Alecko Eskandarian scored a second for the home team in the 39th minute, and the Black-and-Red hung on for the 2-1 victory. That season, Moreno proved he was still one of the best players in the league, leading United's attack with seven goals and 14 assists.
"It was a great year for me," Moreno said. "But that was also a great moment for me, to come back the way I did."