Luciano's Bio

D.C. United/MLS, November 13, 2007

Luciano Emilio
Date of Birth: December 12, 1978
Birtplace: Ilha Solteira, Brazil
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 176 lbs.
Club: D.C. United (Major League Soccer)
Career goals: 142

2007: Luciano Emilio took MLS by storm in his first season, earning the Budweiser Golden Boot by tallying a League-high 20 goals. The first player in MLS since 2002 to reach the 20-goal mark, Emilio led United with four game-winners and also tallied an assist - a game-winner - in 29 games (28 starts). His five multi-goal games were tied for most in MLS and led to being named MLS Player of the Week on three separate occasions (Week 11, 18 & 23). From 6/10 to 7/4, the Brazilian tallied a goal in five straight games - the second longest streak in MLS. He was named the September Player of the Month after scoring six goals in six games during the month. His 20 goals were second in club history only to Raul Diaz Arce's 23 in 1996. Emilio scored at least one goal against every team in the League, except Houston. In the CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinals and semifinals, Emilio scored four goals in four games, with three coming against his former club CD Olimpia.

2005-2006: Emilio joined Mexican second division side Queretaro where he scored 10 goals and helped the club to the 2005 Clausura title. Following his brief stint in Mexico, Emilio returned to Olimpia where he led them to back-to-back championships in the 2005 Apertura and 2006 Clausura, winning scoring titles in both campaigns (16 goals in '05, 13 goals in '06). In the fall of 2006, his greatest contributions came in the UNCAF tournament (Central American championships) where his eight goals were enough to earn him the tournament's Golden Boot and propel Olimpia into the 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

2002-2004: The forward moved to Real España in Honduras where he broke through as an impact player. While there he won goal scoring titles in the 2003 (10 goals) and 2004 Clausura (14 goals), while helping the team win the 2003 Apertura. After the 2004 Clausura, he moved to Central American powerhouse CD Olimpia.

2002: Emilio returned to his native Brazil where he played for Union Barbarense.

1997-2001: In August of 1997, Emilio signed a contract with FC Köln (Cologne) of the German Bundesliga. There, he starred for the Under-23 team, and eventually worked his way into the senior team where he played several Bundesliga matches. In 1999, he transferred to Alemannia Aachen of the Bundesliga second division.

1993-1996: Emilio began his career in his native Brazil, playing with Jalesense in 1993. He got his professional start at the age of 16, when he signed with XV de Piracicaba of the Campeonato Paulista, the state league of Sao Paolo. A year later, he transferred to Rio Branco, another Paulista team.