Quintanilla Clears The Air

By Marisabel Munoz

(November 15, 2002) - While most players desperately seek to maintain their playing form during the offseason, D.C. United's 19-year-old international forward, Eliseo Quintanilla, has been excluded from participating with El Salvador's national teams -- including this month's FIFA 2003 World Youth Championship qualifiers and the XIX Central American and Caribbean Games -- for four years.

Quintanilla, who joined the Black-and-Red at season's end and scored two goals in nine starts, was informed by the Salvadoran Federation (Federacion Salvadoreña de Futbol, or FESFUT) of his four-year suspension from all international duty last week, for "failing to respond to the Under-20 Salvadoran call-up," according to FESFUT press officer, Julio Ruiz Martinez.

Instead of preparing for Friday night's Under-20 match against the United States and D.C. United teammates, Bobby Convey and Santino Quaranta -- and trying to avenge a 1999 loss to the U.S. squad in qualifiers for the world championships -- Quintanilla is currently home in San Salvador, investigating a way to appeal the Federation's suspension. The Federation has said that they will review the case following the qualifiers and Central American games which will be held in El Salvador.

"The federation maintains its position that Eliseo will not join any national team while we are heading this federation," said FESFUT president Humberto Torres. "The lack of interest in playing for the national team is a characteristic of the Salvadoran player."

Torres' term runs through 2006 which means that Quintanilla could miss out on World Cup 2006 qualifiers.

Reports out of El Salvador have presented differing reasons for the Federation's unprecedented sanction, ranging from economic pressure on Quintanilla's behalf to a lack of communication between the parties. FESFUT's evidence included multiple documents sent to Quintanilla and to D.C. United, which according to the Federation, went unanswered. While the Salvadoran Federation has been criticized by its players and was under FIFA scrutiny following a lawsuit, Quintanilla is adamant he has been a victim of disorganization and misunderstanding.

According to a ruling made by the Salvadoran federation, Eliseo Quintanilla will not be able to play for his country until 2006.

"They were unable to call up a player playing abroad while all along I had said that I wanted to play for the national team. At no time did I say otherwise. Actually, players who are playing in El Salvador are not informed of their call-up by letters or through their clubs. They have to listen to the radio to know," Quintanilla said from his home in San Salvador. "I waited two, three days for a phone call regarding my plane ticket, but that call never came. That's when I decided to buy a ticket out of my own pocket and return to El Salvador.

"At no moment did I touch the economics [issue]," he continued. "Besides, I had to buy my ticket Washington-El Salvador out of my own pocket. That's why I don't understand why they have to talk about money when I never mentioned it."

Quintanilla flew to San Salvador in time for a hearing with the Federation, which D.C. United petitioned for in order to allow Quintanilla to state his case and have a chance to play during the off-season at the international level. The Federation, however, did not change its mind. A few days before returning to El Salvador, Quintanilla starred in United's friendly 4-0 win over C.D. Aguila, his former team from El Salvador. The young forward assisted on three of the goals.

"At no point did I have to excuse myself because I have not lacked respect toward any of the officials. I attended the hearing to clear the situation and to let them know that I was at their disposition to play," Quintanilla said. "My conscious is clear. I just want to return to playing as I have been doing.

"It's going to take the Federation to organize itself and we, the players, to work hard to improve the level of soccer."

Quintanilla is one of the youngest Salvadorans playing abroad, and according to some, it is El Salvador's loss since the left-footed forward was considered one of the country's best youth prospects. D.C. Head Coach Ray Hudson took a risk on Quintanilla when he signed him in July of 2002, having seen him only on videotape before inviting him to work with the team for a short time.

Friday, the U.S. Under-20 squad led by captain Convey, Quaranta and Dallas Burn forward Eddie Johnson, will play El Salvador in Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET (DirecTV and Time Warner PPV). Several of the same players on both sides matched up in the 2001 Under-17 World Championship qualifier where El Salvador lost 4-0. On Friday the Central Americans will find themselves in a must-win situation.

"My idea was to be in Charleston," said Quintanilla, who did not appear in the 2001 match. "This was going to be my chance for revenge. I was so eager to join the team to avenge that disappointment. Unfortunately, that's Salvadoran soccer and I'm only left to keep working hard."

Quintanilla will report to D.C. United for preseason in January, when he will also begin a semester of English classes. Forwards Jaime Moreno, Santino Quaranta, Ali Curtis and Quintanilla should have a competitive preseason, giving Hudson several options as the club looks to rebound from a 9-14 season. MLS fans can expect a charged-up Quintanilla who will be out to prove a point when the 2003 season kicks off.

"D.C. United fans did not see the best from me in 2002," he said. "I arrived lacking a bit of conditioning and rhythm since I had been sidelined for three months. Now things will be different because I'll be with United from the start. They are yet to see my best."