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Project Redemption: Step Two Completed

Well, Santino Quaranta has put the second stage of his comeback journey behind him; he has made the team:

Forward-midfielder Santino Quaranta signed a multiyear contract with D.C. United yesterday, completing his return to the club with which he started his MLS career seven years ago.

Quaranta, 23, began a tryout with United last week and appeared in two exhibitions Wednesday against Chivas USA at a tournament near San Antonio.

Terms were not disclosed, but Quaranta said his base salary is lower than the $105,000 he earned with Los Angeles and New York last season. Several bonus incentives were included, he said.

Quaranta, a Baltimore native, is expected to travel with the team to Jamaica for Wednesday's first leg of the Champions' Cup quarterfinal series against Harbour View. With Ben Olsen recuperating from ankle injuries, Quaranta might see considerable playing time on the right side of midfield this spring.

Evidently, he must have impressed because United wasted no time in locking him up with a contract. Of course the injury to Ben Olsen might have put the screws to it a bit. For the moment I'll believe that Quaranta's play on the field was the driving force here; the fact the deal was for more than one year would seem to back up that belief.

Of course, Santino can't do anything without giving some pause. The day he signs his contract his hammy tightens up.

Remember Santino, you are an old man now...you always have to stretch!

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