Jeff Cunningham Has Got Nothing On Jaime Moreno
In FC Dallas's 3-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday, Jeff Cunningham scored the 132nd goal of his career, tying Jaime Moreno for the most career goals in MLS history.
So then you might assume that these two players have had roughly equal careers, right?
No. You'd be wrong. Because it's not even close.
You'd be hard pressed to find a soccer fan in this country willing to argue that Cunningham is the best player in league history. Yet Moreno is always in that conversation. He's done incredible work over the course of his career. And he's done it as his team's leader.
There's plenty of reasons why Jeff Cunningham isn't in the same class as Jaime Moreno. Follow me beyond the break and I'll show you why.
|
|
Jeff Cunningham |
Jaime Moreno |
|
Regular season goals |
132 |
132 |
|
Regular season assists |
69 |
102 |
|
Playoff goals |
4 |
12 |
|
Playoff assists |
5 |
10 |
|
Trophies |
2 |
12 |
So who's career would you rather have?
I don't want to be too hard on Cunningham. He deserves respect for being able to score at a consistent rate for so many years. But there's also something to be said for the fact that he's been deemed replaceable by three separate teams.
The two players are currently tied atop the all-time goals standings. Cunningham is likely to stand alone at the top shortly. If not now, then next year.
But that doesn't mean that Moreno should quit trying. It would be nice to be able to say that he retired as the all-time leading scorer. And D.C. United should give him the opportunity. No more leaving him home. We've got three games left. Moreno deserves the chance to earn back his record. Obviously he'll start the final game of the season, but he should see time in each of the next two matches as well. I mean, what else do we have to lose?
Tweet
5 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Exactly!
I realize that the coaches want to prepare the young players for next year. However, since the Open cup loss, when it was finally made public that this was Jaime’s last year, there has been NO reason not to play Jaime.
The way the team has been treating him lately, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they don’t give him the start in his final home game either. That would be a shame considering the stadium is likely to be sold out for that one.
by BrunoReturns on Oct 5, 2025 9:25 AM EDT reply actions
I thought the reason Jaime has not been playing is that he has been hurt. If he is healthy, he should be able to play as much or as little as he wants to. It’s not like he would be a worse option than Allsopp up front.
by DCUFaninMissouri on Oct 5, 2025 4:52 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks For This
I still emotionally felt Moreno was better, but this backs it up with facts.
Win or lose, we will always be here for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Oct 5, 2025 6:28 PM EDT reply actions
Not, exactly!
You forgot these numbers. Cunningham has 19 PKs where as Moreno has 43 PKs. That means Cunningham has 113 goals from run of play and Moreno has 89. Cunningham has 39 game winning goals, Moreno has 26.
At least give Cunningham credit for scoring the majority of his goals during the run of play.
by Sportsfan783 on Oct 6, 2025 5:25 PM EDT reply actions
Goals are goals
It’s a fair point. But Moreno also earned a lot of those PKs himself.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Oct 6, 2025 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

by Martin Shatzer on 






