From 2003 to 2006, Alecko Eskandarian called RFK Stadium home, scoring 20 goals in four seasons for D.C. United and becoming a fan favorite as much for his affable personality as his deadly left foot.
But despite missing the first half of the season due to injuries, the 2004 MLS Cup MVP showed no mercy against his former teammates on Saturday night, getting a hand in all three goals for Chivas USA in their 3-0 rout against United.
Eskandarian opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Dejair, making his first appearance for Chivas USA, stripped United goalkeeper Louis Crayton of the ball and found the former No. 1 overall draft pick 25 yards out with only an open net in front of him.
"I don't know what the goalie was thinking to be honest with you," Eskandarian said. "I saw the ball go back and his touch got away from him. Dejair ran and got the ball, and I was screaming at him to lay it off to me because I saw a wide open goal. It was one of those that was so easy that I thought, 'I hope I don't mess this up.' So I just hit it first time with my right foot straight down the middle."
But Eskandarian, who scored many memorable goals during his time with United, admitted that it was strange to score at RFK Stadium and not hear United's famously vociferous crowd roar.
"It was weird," he said. "It's well known that I have a lot of love for this city and these fans. They treated me so well during my time here, and I have nothing but respect for those guys. That's why I didn't go crazy after I scored. I put it in the back of the net and went and celebrated with my team."
On the second goal, Eskandarian was sent in behind the defense down the left by Sacha Kljestan in the 56th minute. Eskandarian's one-time shot from eight yards out was blocked by Crayton, but right to an onrushing Sasha Victorine, who buried the ball in the back of the net from four yards out.
Chivas rounded out the scoring 12 minutes later when nice combination work with Kljestan led to Esky sending a probing ball behind United's defense. An apparent lack of communication between Crayton and defender Gonzalo Peralta allowed Dejair to slide and touch the ball into the net. Dejair's performance was all the more remarkable because he has only been with Chivas for one week.
"I don't think he even knows the guys' names in the locker room," said Chivas coach Preki. "He's been here seven days and speaks very little English, so to step out on the field and contribute like he did tonight was great."
Despite injury problems that have caused Chivas to field 25 different lineups in 27 games this season, Chivas USA have now won three games in a row, and five of their last six to pull themselves into second place in the Western Conference. Preki attributes their recent success to focusing on the players he has at his disposal rather than make excuses.
"We try to play football," he said. "We don't worry about who's here and who's not here. Obviously we try to always play the same way, of keeping the ball on the ground and getting everybody moving, and we've been successful with that. With people missing, it's tough luck. Hopefully someone will be back and we'll be even better, but right now, we're happy the way things are going."
Although Chivas is firmly in second place with only three games remaining, Preki is not taking anything for granted, especially since all those games are against conference teams.
"We don't want to get too high and overconfident," he said. "We're just going to make sure that everybody keeps their feet on the ground. We'll keep working on things that we're working on, and hopefully good things will happen."
Preki will have yet another lineup decision to make for Chivas' upcoming match against the San Jose Earthquakes, as Kljestan will not be available. Kljestan will be staying in the nation's capital this week on national team duty in preparation for the USA's World Cup qualifier against Cuba, to be played on Saturday night at RFK Stadium. Kljestan, who has divided much of his time this year between Chivas and the full and under-23 national teams, is looking forward to the game.
"I've been in for every qualifier this year," Kljestan said. "So it's been very exciting for me. I'm proud to help my country any way I can, and it's always an honor to wear red, white and blue. Whenever Bob Bradley gives me the call, I'm always very excited to help the team out in qualifying."
David Lifton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
