By Andrea Canales

D.C. United forward Luciano Emilio hasn’t just taken to Major League Soccer in his first year – he’s taken it by storm. The Brazilian has shot his way to the top of the goalscoring charts, with 18 scored. That’s four more than his nearest competition for the title.

In fact, the twenty-eight year old striker has an outside chance to match or overcome an MLS record once thought untouchable: Roy Lassiter’s single-season tally of 27 goals.

Partly on the strength of Emilio’s prowess, United have climbed to the top of the charts in another area – the league table. Unlike last season, United have claimed the most points with a late surge, and seem to be peaking at an ideal time. Rookie coach Tom Soehn’s men are considered early favorites for the MLS title.

Despite having that pressure to live up to, the easy-going Brazilian seemed as relaxed off the field as he was intense on it.

“It’s good,” Emilio said simply of his chemistry with his new teammates. “Since I got here in the preseason, we’ve tried to combine together on the field, with Jaime (Moreno), Christian (Gomez) and Fred.”

It helped all the players involved that they understood each other’s natural style of play – quick, accurate passes using constant movement and splitting off toward goal to confuse defenses.

“We work give and goes,” said Emilio. “We’ve combined for a lot of goals this way. They’ve been interesting interactions that have worked well for us and hopefully, that will continue.”

Soehn also credited other players with part of Emilio’s success.

“It’s more than Luciano. He’s the beneficiary of those players working well around him.”

Unfortunately for D.C.’s rivals, Emilio hasn’t been hampered much by adjustment issues or homesickness off the field since arriving in the United States. Emilio has adapted before. The well-traveled player includes as part of his professional career stints in Germany’s Bundesliga and the Honduran league.

“I felt comfortable since I got here,” Emilio noted. “I’ve tried to adapt and do what I’ve always done, which is score goals. I haven’t noticed a big culture shock in the move from country to country or in the soccer itself. I came here from Honduras, where I scored goals and I’ve kept doing that. It was only a question of adjusting more and more to my teammates.”

Like many who find success in the league, Emilio never anticipated that the transition would be easy. Instead, he prepared himself to work hard, though he looked forward to some specific aspects.

“It’s a tough level and a strong league,” Emilio stated. “It’s good to play here. The fields are nice and the weather is good, too. That’s what I thought it would be.”

The individual accomplishment of leading the league in goals doesn’t guarantee postseason glory. The Tampa Bay Mutiny. Lassiter’s team when he set the record in 1996, won the most games in the regular season, but never an MLS championship.

“It means something special, and I’m happy and grateful,” said Emilio of his goalscoring exploits. “I thank God, and think it’s also thanks to all the hard work we’ve been doing in the league.”

He kept his accomplishments in perspective.

“It’s something extra, scoring so many goals, yet we’re focused on wins for our team. We also want to win titles.”

Though some players who are new to the league may find the crunch time off the playoffs disconcerting, since many other countries crown champions based on single-season records, Emilio wasn’t fazed by the prospect of elimination play.

“We have playoffs there for the top four teams,” Emilio pointed out his recent experience in Honduras. “I had the opportunity to win three titles, one with Real España and two with Olympia. I’m used to playing in championship games. I’ve won some and lost others, but I’m used to the playoffs.”

Look out MLS. Emilio doesn’t just want a scoring title. He’s out for the true hardware - a championship.