Part 3 of DCU: Past and Present Interviews- Santino Quaranta

By: jon | December 19th, 2008

Below is a roughly transcribed interview that I did with Santino today. He was a great sport, and I’d like to thank him for taking the time out. Also, thanks go out to Kyle from BehindtheBadge for helping me set this up.

Jon- You had a big year this year, and apart from Kenny Cooper’s 19 goals off of a broken leg, you had to be comeback player of the year. A year ago today, did you think you’d be where you are today?

Santino- You know, in my mind, I knew I could do it. But obviously, everything that happened, and the situation I was in with my foot injury…people don’t realize that my foot was as bad as everything else. Honestly, I’d say no, I didn’t know where’d I’d be right now. I worked really hard, and it pays off. That was the biggest thing, the amount of work I put in, and I’m still doing it in the offseason. Its good to know the hard work pays off.

J- It was the metatarsal right?

S- Actually, it was the plate underneath my foot, they had to reattach my tendons. There was a good chance I wouldn’t play again. That went kind of unnoticed, I didn’t really talk about that a whole lot. It was the other issues that were more talked about.

J- Speaking of that, what’s it like for you to have that all out there now? I know you decided to talk to Steven Goff and put your whole story out there, but whats it like for, maybe not to be what your known for, but for it to be what everyone wants to talk about when they talk to you?

S- You know, I love talking about it. Everytime that I talk about it, it never gets old. You never know who comes up in your life, and who you help that day. I’m sure there are people I’ll never meet that have read that story and maybe get some hope. It was difficult for me to look past that and or look at any other athlete, because there aren’t a whole lot who have that story out there. But for me its all about helping other people, and everytime I talk about it, it makes me feel good.

J- It seems like its been received that way, that they’re happy to know that other people are going thru what they are.

S- Yeah, I’m just another average person thats trying to do the right thing everyday, and I’m no different than the alcoholic or drug addict thats homeless and really, it’s all the same to me and I don’t look down on anybody and if I can lend a helping hand to anybody, thats what I do.

J- A question I had, and my friends had, do you see yourself back with the USMNT at any point? Have you talked to Bob Bradley?

S- I do. That’s my goal, I haven’t talked to Bob, but I’m just going to keep working hard for DC. I’ve been there before, and I know what its like to play in big games. I played against Mexico when we qualified for the last world cup. So I’ve experience that, and I deinatly want to do it again?

J- How does that work? Do you let them know you’re interested and available, or do they call you?

S- They don’t ever call. Its just a team that gets announced, and its an honor to play for your country. So whoever gets the callup, its not even a question of doubt who wants to play for their country. Its about getting the callup.

J- With DC, you played a lot on the wing. Are you comfortable out there? It seemed like when you were in the playmaker role later in the season, you seemed really comfortable, you were distributing the ball really well and had more of a role in the offense trying to score goals.

S- I just like being on the field. Obviously, I knew when I took on that role, I tried to be an honest player on both sides of the ball. I think that helped the team more than just scoring or distribution, because when you got 11 guys working hard (you need that balance). I like playing on the wing as well, it just depends on the formation you play. If you watch a lot of European teams, they play 4-5-1, or 4-3-3. Hopefully we can figure out a formation that suits the players we have. Because I like playing on the wing in the right formation, and in the middle as well. I just want to work hard and give Tommy a reason to play me every game.

J- Has he given you any insight into his plans for the team next season? I know there are some rumors some new players coming in, like Walter Martinez from Honduras, another forward..

S- Yeah, you know, all that stuff is their business. I know we try to keep a core group of guys here, I know that was the plan. Because wholsale changes arent the answer. I know hes trying to keep a core group of guys together. For me specifically, just keep building off the end of this year. I thought I worked hard and I deserved to play every game.

J- Whats your contract status for next year? Were you on a 1 year deal when you came back?

S- I signed a 1 year at that money, but i had three option years. The options weren’t much, about the same amount of money. So i just redid my deal, I dont know if that came out publically. But about a week and half, I got a whole new contract.

J- Is it another 1 year deal?

S- No, its 4 years. Theres option years in there that are beneficial for both parties, because the options are good money for me, and if the team picks it up its good for them, and if they dont, then it leaves me free. And its a good situation for both of us, its a 4 year plan.

J- Do you have any European or other league aspirations when your time with DCU is done, because you’re still really young?

S- I do, thats why at the end of this 4 years, it’ll put be at 26 or 27. And I do want to experience Europe, and thats every soccer players goal is to get to the top. And to be honest with you, MLS is coming a long way. Our agreement is up at the end of the year, and I think there are some big changes coming. I’ve very happy at DC to stay. Its run like a lot like a European team, thats all you can ask for a proper environment every day.

J- What are your feelings, in 2008, about the league, as far as the salary cap… I know they cut the roster size, and got rid of the reserve division. What do you think about the situation with the number of games and the small group of players, since the problem last season was too many games with not a deep enough squad, and now the teams are getting smaller and the number of games doesn’t change too much.

S- Its a double edged sword, because you really want to play in all of the competitions.
The problem with that, is you run your team into the ground a little bit. At one point we had 15 guys, that were our core group. There were some games where we were running out reserves, because everyone was injured. Again, its tough with the salary cap and all that stuff, You have to pick and choose what you do. DCU likes to represent MLS in the proper way, so you’re not playing the reserves against Pachuca. So thats what youre dealing with. Obviously, the league competition comes first for us, but DCU has taken a lot of pride in international competition. But its difficult.

J- A few more questions, on the less serious angle. Everyone saw what Marc did to your car. Any revenge plans?

S- HA. We have a good time, and it was a great prank. You know me and Burchie are good friends, and Namoff too. To do that you have to be close, and thats why we all have a laugh about it. I got a lot of things in the works. I’ve got some time off to work on this and I told him, no one is safe in Columbus. I’m going for everyone.

J- Do you play FIFA or Winning Eleven?

S- Burchie and everybody else are into winning eleven. I’m all about Wii and wii bowling, and guitar hero. But I don’t play the soccer games.

J- The question I’ve been asking everybody is what they think of their renderings on the game, how accurate they are. Yours this year, looks a lot like you. They gave you a pretty average rating, but maybe they’ll boost it up this year.

S- Yeah my brothers were calling me, and making fun of me. They told me I was terrible.

J- Yeah, you’re a little slower than you really are. I don’t know what that was about. I know you’re from Baltimore, any recommendations for a good Italian resturant?

S- Once you come down to Little Italy, there are so many good places. I like Sabatino’s, their salad is great. You can’t go wrong in Little Italy.

J- Well thanks for taking the time out, I really appreciate it. Congrats on the new contract.

S- Thanks, Buddy.