The value Fabián Espíndola adds to D.C. United isn't easily calculated but impossible to miss. To determine his impact through stats wouldn’t do him justice but that doesn’t make his numbers any less impressive. Exclusively listening to his teammates’ praise wouldn’t give you the full picture.
Acquired in the 2014 Re-Entry Draft, The seven-year veteran's influence has been playing MVP-caliber soccer since scoring the team’s first goal of the year in a 2-2 draw with Chicago on March 29.
- Related: Espindola's Stats
With nine goals and nine assists, Espíndola has been instrumental to United’s success. Enjoying his fourth consecutive season with nine or more tallies, he’s just one goal shy of his career high of ten, accomplished in 2011 with Real Salt Lake. He’s one of just four players to have at least nine goals in MLS the last four years, a group that includes Landon Donovan, Chris Wondolowski, and Thierry Henry. As for assists, the playmaker has exceeded his previous season-high of seven, set in 2012 also with RSL.
In just 23 games played, Espíndola has contributed to 40% of United’s 46 goals, and he is third in the league in game-winning assists with four, only behind Donovan (5) and Robbie Keane (6), who have each featured in four more games.
“I know he’s scored some very big goals for us and has had great assists for us, but I’m not a huge stats person,” said D.C. United midfielder Davy Arnaud. “I think that if you base somebody’s importance to a team or a group solely off their stats you’re missing out on a lot.”
His presence, his drive, his mentality—that is what he brings to the Black-and-Red.
“Fabi’s one of those guys that what he does for our team doesn’t show up in the stats,” Arnaud said. “He’s always a nuisance, and he’s always making himself a hassle to play against. He’s a great competitor.”
Even in a 4-1 loss to the LA Galaxy on Aug. 27, in which Espíndola only played 29 minutes, still easing his way back from an MCL strain, Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza was impressed.
“He’s a good player,” DeLaGarza said. “He’s having an MVP-type year, he’s tough to defend and he’s a hassle. So when he steps on, he’s going to bring 110 percent.”
The partnership of the veteran and 25-year-old Luis Silva has been deadly in the second half of this season, adding to Espíndola's impact. The two have combined for 43% of United’s goals, one-third of the Black-and-Red’s game-winning-goals, and when adding Espíndola’s game-winning assists, they've helped solidify to seven of United’s 15 wins.
“I think we have both been doing well together on the pitch,” Silva said. “I think he brings that edge, that winning mentality. He always expects more out of me; that helps me a lot, and I try to push him.”
Aside from his offensive prowess, Espíndola’s competitive mentality also shines through in his work rate and willingness to start United’s defending as high up the field as possible.
“When you have a guy like that in front of you, and you see the work that he is doing, it’s a great example to everyone behind him on the field as to what we’re going to be about,” Arnaud said.
“He always wants to win, and he hates losing,” Silva added. “He hates losing, which is good for us; we needed something like that this year.”
Put simply by Black-and-Red Captain Bobby Boswell:
“Fabián Espíndola brings quality to this team.”
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