D.C. acquires Salvadoran Quintanilla

ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- D.C. United announced Monday that the club has acquired 19-year-old El Salvadoran forward Eliseo Quintanilla as a discovery player.

Quintanilla has signed a contract with Major League Soccer, but terms of the pact were not released. Quintanilla, who has trained with D.C. since July 11, will be available for selection upon obtaining a work visa.

"We're pleased to have signed a quality young player with great potential for the future," said United technical director Dave Kasper.

Quintanilla will be classified as a transitional international and does not count as one of United's three senior internationals.

The left-footer starred for El Salvador's U-17 National Team during CONCACAF qualifying for the 1999 FIFA World Championship in New Zealand, scoring five goals in his country's failed bid to earn a berth to the youth world cup. The United States U-17s -- led by Bobby Convey, Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley -- eventually eliminated El Salvador by a combined 10-1 score in a home-and-away playoff series to capture CONCACAF's last berth to New Zealand '99. Quintanilla tallied El Salvador's lone goal in a 6-1 defeat to the U.S.

"Eliseo is a naturally gifted, well-balanced, quick footballer," said United coach Ray Hudson. "He's creative with an excellent finishing touch in front of goal. Eliseo is a fine young prospect."

Quintanilla served as a left-sided striker and playmaker for his country and clubs C.D. FAS and most recently with CD Aguila. Quintanilla made his full international debut with El Salvador on Feb. 9, 2000, in a 5-1 loss to Honduras. He has since earned three senior caps for his country.

Quintanilla made his professional debut in El Salvador's first division at the age of 16 with current Salvadoran champion CD FAS midway through the 1999 Apertura tournament. Quintanilla scored his first professional goal against arch-rival Aguila in a 1-1 draw in November 1999 and finished the year with three tallies.

He has amassed 24 career goals in first-division play. During the 2000 season, Quintanilla scored seven goals in both the Clausura and Apertura tournaments. With Aguila, Quintanilla registered six goals in the 2001 Apertura tournament and most recently finished the 2002 Clausura in May with five goals.

 

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