"[Santino Quaranta] is probably the best player I've played with, he has another dimension. I think...

"[Santino Quaranta] is probably the best player I've played with, he has another dimension. I think whenever he's ready, he's a guy who is good enough to play in Europe. We joke that all I have to do is win the ball and give it to him. He's so talented, he’s a game-changer and I can only name a couple in MLS. We’re lucky to have him. I put him at the top of players here. He really understands the game."

Kurt Morskin, on Santino Quaranta,via dcunited.com chat

almost 2 years ago Martin Shatzer 6 comments 0 recs |

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Um... no pressure, Tino

Really high praise from the newcomer on the team, though. I think we’ve all seen flashes of that quality in the Phoenix, it’s just a matter of whether he can find his form early and keep it through the season. If so, I think those two misses in Charleston against TFC will be easily forgotten. (Actually, they’ll be easily forgotten no matter what, most likely, but you get my point.)

by The AMT on Mar 20, 2010 9:09 AM EDT reply actions

I take these comments with an enormous grain of salt

But all the reports out of training have been about how Tino has taken his game to another level. I’ll be really excited this season if that turns out to be true.

by Brendanukkah on Mar 20, 2010 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, if all these quotes from the offseason are true, Tino should have his best season ever this year, or something…

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Mar 20, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Another thing about that chat transcript

I’m going miss the friends I had there, my former teammates and their families. But other than that I’ll miss nothing else from Kansas City. I’m looking forward to being in DC with my teammates. DC is a bigger city, it’s a better club, all around I’m happier in DC.

Morsink pulls no punches, huh? From the whole transcript, it really seems like he feels like he was pulled off of a flaming, sinking ship filled with maneating cockroaches and poop. Lots of poop. On fire. He also sounds like somebody who “gets it” and will fight for the shirt, which is certainly not a bad thing.

If what I’ve been reading is correct, it sounds like he could be the starting DM when we expect the other team to bunker (especially if he keeps showing well while Simms is injured), and Clyde will get the start when we’re actually concerned with the opponent’s attacking threats.

by The AMT on Mar 20, 2010 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t go as far as rotating him and Simms. In my mind, Simms should start every time if fit. Morsink will probably be a frequent sub (perhaps for Barklage, with Quaranta moving wide?), with starts coming in the Open Cup and if Simms has a knock.

Morsink may be more comfortable on the ball, but Simms brings way too much to the table to consider rotating them depending on who we’re playing. After all, KC was willing to let him go. I think he was undervalued there, but not by so much that he’s going to knock Simms out of the best eleven.

Black and Red United

by ChestRockwell on Mar 20, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s fair. It’s clear that Onalfo rates Morsink, though, so the situation might arise. I like Simms, maybe more than most, so I’d love to see him keep that starting role.

by The AMT on Mar 20, 2010 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions