Marco Etcheverry was inducted into D.C. United's ``Tradition of Excellence'' on Saturday night, becoming the second member behind John Harkes.
A seven-time MLS all-star midfielder, Etcheverry was one of 16 players from D.C. United's 1996 team that celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first MLS Cup prior to a game against the New York Red Bulls.
``Marco was the most influential player in the history of MLS, and without his brilliance on the field and his ability to raise his game in our most important matches, there would be no D.C. United legacy,'' D.C. United president Kevin Payne said. ``No player is more deserving of this honour than the man they called `El Diablo.'''
Etcheverry earned the Bolivian international League's Most Valuable Player honours in 1998 and MLS Cup MVP honours in 1996. He also garnered MVP honours at the 2002 all-star game and ranks fourth in MLS with 101 career assists. He was named to the MLS Best XI squad four consecutive seasons from 1996-1999.
Etcheverry is among club leaders in nearly every D.C. United statistical category: fourth in goals scored (34), first in assists (101), and second in games played (191), minutes played (16,305), shots (319), shots on goal (156) and game-winning goals (11).
A graduate of Tahuichi Academy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Etcheverry made 72 international appearances and scored 13 goals for the Bolivian national team. He played one World Cup match for his country in 1994.
