Croatian Americans and ACAP DC officers gathered and cheered for the Croatian Heritage Night during the D.C. United home match up against Orlando City SC at Audi Field.
Saturday, April 25 – Croatian Americans from Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia braved the rain on Saturday for Croatian Heritage Night organized by the Washington D.C. chapter of the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP D.C.). In partnership with D.C. United, ACAP D.C. helped host the club’s first-ever Croatian Heritage Night during its home match against Orlando City SC at Audi Field.
Joining in the excitement of the night, His Excellency Pjer Šimunović, Croatian Ambassador to the United States, and Phil Berquist, Croatian Honorary Consul in Houston, Texas, attended as guests of honor and were greeted by Danita Johnson, D.C. United’s President, and Andrew Seybolt, Account Executive. The Heritage Night was hoping to witness and celebrate Marco Pašalić, Orlando City’s winger and offensive player for the Croatian national football team. Unfortunately, Pašalić had to miss the match due to an unexpected major quadricep muscle injury that saw him travel to Zagreb for treatment.
Despite Pašalić’s absence and the April showers, the Croatian community in the D.C. area still turned up in force in support of Croatian heritage and to enjoy an evening of community and love of soccer at the D.C. United game.
“My girlfriend and I took the train down from Baltimore knowing Marco wouldn’t be on the pitch, but being surrounded by fellow Croatians made it a great night anyway. A muscle rupture is no small thing, and we’re all wishing him a quick recovery. I can’t wait to see him and the rest of the Vatreni back at full strength for the World Cup this summer. We’ll be at their match in Philly against Ghana cheering them on!” – Chris Balaban, ACAP Member.
D.C. United won the night 3 to 2, scoring two goals in the final 7 minutes of play.
Pašalić was designated into the injury list with a leg/thigh tightness during last Saturday’s match with Houston Dynamo which had to be closely assessed for severity and careful management. He missed seven consecutive MLS games and a training session where he was transferred back to Zagreb for surgery and therapy after he was diagnosed with a minor rupture and inflammation in the leg and thigh. However, the injury proved worse than anticipated.
According to Večernji list, the MRI examination in Zagreb identified a serious muscle rupture that could take a longer time period of recovery than the anticipated 2–3-weeks of recovery for a minor tear. Official time periods of recovery are still unknown, but Pašalić will travel to Orlando City, Florida for rehabilitation in the last week of April.
This injury is a tremendous concern for the Croatian national head coach, Zlatko Dalić, as Vatreni kicks off for their first 2026 World Cup game against England on June 17, and relies on Pašalić’s striking talent to be a key offensive winger. Pašalić has made 13 appearances for the Croatian national team and is positioned as a “trump card” for his speed and penetration on the winging position as a starter or a substitution. Dalić is expected to announce the starting lineups for the preliminary matches by May 18, setting the tone for Croatia’s World Cup preparations.
Cover photo: ACAP D.C.
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