MLS has re-signed D.C. United captain and midfielder Marco Etcheverry to a multi-year agreement with Major League Soccer, the club announced today. MLS did not disclose the terms of the deal. However, it had been reported that MLS had not exercised its option on EtcheverryÆs previous contract because it wanted to decrease his salary. Etcheverry is widely considered the MLSÆs best player over the leagueÆs 6-year history. The Bolivian has won three MLS titles with D.C. United since joining the team in 1996. But his last season was his least spectacular as D.C. United missed the playoffs for the second straight year. “This new deal should keep Marco in Washington for the remainder of his career,” said United technical director Dave Kasper. “Marco has been the best player in MLS over the six-year history of the league and, clearly, he’s been the heart and soul of D.C. United. It has always been, and still remains, our hope that he will end his playing days wearing a United [uniform].” A graduate of the Tahuichi Academy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Etcheverry has made 70 international appearances and scored 13 goals for the Bolivian national team. Etcheverry underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ligament on his left great toe on October 5 and is on target to resume full training when the club opens its preseason training camp Jan. 21.