WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2012 - D.C. United contiues to bolster its roster. On Wednesday the club acquired the well-traveled Brazilian forward Maicon Santos. The 27-year joined MLS in 2009 as a member of Chivas USA after playing for numerous overseas clubs.
“We’re very pleased to have Maicon as a part of D.C. United,” said general manager Dave Kasper. “He is a big, solid target forward that will fit well into our system of play and complement the group of players already on our roster.”
The 6-foot-1 Santos began the 2011 season in Toronto FC, earning six goals and an assist in 19 games, before being traded to FC Dallas in August where he played in 11 matches and notching two goals an assist.
In 2010 Santos had a goal and assist in nine apperances with Chivas USA before being traded to Toronto. He earned four goals and two assists in 13 games for the Canadian outfit where he played alongside United's key striker Dwayne De Rosario.
"I think he [Santos ] is a guy that brings a lot to the team," De Rosario said. "He is a good target forward, good with his feet, and he has a great left foot."
At Toronto, the De Rosario-Santos duo combined for a total of 11 goals in 14 games (De Rosario-7, Santos-4). Two of De Rosario’s seven total goals in that stretch came from Santos assists.
Previously, United has had success playing with a big Brazilian center-forward. Brazilian Luciano Emilio scored 20 goals for the team in 2007 earning the MLS MVP award.
Before coming to MLS, Santos played for Brazilian club Bonsucesso, Israeli Premier League clubs Hapoel Kiryat Shomna and Bnei Sakhnin, Tunisian side Étoile Sportive du Sahel and Libyan club Al-Nasr Benghazi. He made his professional debut in 2005 with Rio de Janeiro side Madureira Esporte Clube of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C.
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
