Juan Carlos Ruiz plays in tribute match for Marco Etcheverry

On Saturday October 20, Sports Quest staff member Juan Carlos Ruiz was selected to play in a tribute match for DC United legend Marco Etcheverry.  The tribute match took place prior to the first team's regular season finale versus the Columbus Crew, and pit the '97 MLS Cup championship team versus Hollywood United, a team made up of former MLS stars and celebrities. Among those who joined Etcheverry as part of the '97 MLS Cup team were John Harkes, Jeff Agoos, Richie Williams, Raul Diaz Arce, Brian Kamler, David Vaudreuil, John Maessner, AJ Wood, Mark Simpson, Scott Garlick and Tom Presthus. The Hollywood United team consisted of former MLS stars Tab Ramos, Eric Wynalda, Alex Pineda Chacon and Mauricio Ramos. International stars also included French National team legend Frank LeBouef, Scottish international Richard Gough, Swiss professional Oliver Biaggi, local product and former MLS player Derk Droze, former U.S. international Yari Alnutt and Juan Carlos Ruiz of Bolivia , a former teammate of Etcheverry's. Joining these soccer luminaries was "Without a Trace" star, Anthony LaPaglia, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell and Hootie & the Blowfish drummer Jim "Soni" Sonefeld. In addition to his burgeoning acting career, LaPaglia serves as chairman of HUFC and is a part of the ownership group of Sydney FC of the Australian A League. A seven-time MLS All-Star, Etcheverry is one of the most accomplished players in League history. Etcheverry's cultured left foot carried the Black-and-Red to MLS Cup titles in 1996, 1997, and 1999, earning individual accolades as Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player in 1998 and MLS Cup MVP honors in 1996. The talented midfielder earned MVP honors for the 2002 Pepsi All-Star Game played at RFK Stadium. He was named to the League's Best XI squad four consecutive seasons from 1996-1999. In 2005, Etcheverry was named to the League's All-Time Best XI and currently stands fourth in MLS's all-time assist rankings (101). Etcheverry remains D.C. United's all-time leader in assists (101) and game-winning assists (25). He ranks second all-time in games played (191), games started (180), minutes played (16,305), shots (319), shots on goal (156) and game-winning goals (11). Etcheverry announced his retirement as a player on January 22, 2004, having finished his eighth MLS campaign with six goals and seven assists in 2003. One of his goals served as a game-winner, while four others helped D.C. to earn draws. Etcheverry appeared in 25 games for the Black-and-Red that season, including 21 as a starter. Sports Quest is proud of Juan Carlos Ruiz (pictured below) for being part of the memorable evening on behalf of Marco Etcheverry!