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Like father, like son - Rising Star: Alecko Eskandarian

Soccer Digest, April-May, 2003 by Scott Plagenhoef

SOCCER IN THE U.S. MAY STILL be developing, but it has an ever-increasing pedigree. The Bahrs and Rotes and Keoughs are among the first families of American soccer, but now second-generation professionals are beginning to emerge. One of MLS's new sensations, Taylor Twellman, is the son of former NASL player Tim Twellman, who played for the Minnesota Kicks and Chicago Sting. Now another son of an NASL star is set to make a name for himself in MLS: D.C. United forward Alecko Eskandarian.

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The first overall pick of the 2003 MLS draft, former Virginia star Eskandarian grew up just 20 miles from Giants Stadium while his father, Andranik, played for the New York Cosmos from 1979 through 1984. "It's awesome," says Alecko on following in his father's footsteps. "It's funny how things come full circle and one generation passes it on to another. His team was one of the country's best and I'm hoping I can be as lucky and win some championships just as he did."

United coach Ray Hudson, another NASL veteran, played against the senior Eskandarian, claiming that he "still [has] the scars on [his] right leg to prove it."

The colorful United coach is enthusiastic about his new young star. "Alecko is a picnic of a player," says Hudson. "I'm looking forward to working with him and developing him. As soon as we knew he was under contract with the league, that was it. We had some [trade] offers, but they would have had to be crazy to take him away."

Eskandarian, who scored a single-season record 25 goals for the Cavaliers en route to the Hermann Trophy last year, is equally enthused about his pro career. "To be the first overall selection is a tremendous honor," says Eakandarian. "This is professional sorter and you've got to prove yourself wherever you go. I can't wait."

Eskandarian may not play right away--Hudson is known for bringing young stars along slowly, as he did with Justin Mapp in 2002--but he will gain invaluable experience practicing and playing with Earnie Stewart. With Stewart and Dema Kovalenko added in the offseason to an attack also features former MLS MVP Marco Etcheverry, now-healthy wingers Ben Olsen and Bobby Convey, and emerging star Santino Quaranta, Eskandarian will start on the bench. But with Quaranta likely to miss part of the season playing for the U.S. Under-20 team at the World Youth Championships. Eskandarian should receive some quality time on the pitch.

Like his seasoned teammates, Eskandarian hopes to earn more international experience of his own. The striker--who played for the U.S.'s U-20 team that competed in the 2001 World Youth Championships--is a member of the U-23 player pool hoping to earn a spot on Glenn Myernick's 2004 Olympics roster. For now, the most important thing is just sharpening his game.

"Stewart and Quaranta aren't my competition but my teammates," says Eskandarian. "I look forward to going in and meshing with them. I'm going to work my hardest and hope I can get on the field. Well see how we can complement each other and help our team win."

"There will be a competition for the starting place," says Hudson. "It's going to be a dogfight for all the places in D.C., and it'll be a good fight between Alecko and Santino for that second spot alongside Earnie. That's the way it should be--they have to earn it."

Like father, like son - Rising Star: Alecko Eskandarian

Soccer Digest, April-May, 2003 by Scott Plagenhoef

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