Marco Antonio Etcheverry Vargas (born September 26, 1970 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra) is a former midfielder, considered in the native country as one of the best Bolivian players of all time. Nicknamed “Diablo”, his characteristics were the bewildering dribbling, an unexpected start, and the delicate and clever playing with an accurate touch.

Etcheverry made his debut when he was 17 years old, playing in the first division of Destroyers in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, getting the peak of his career later in the USA. El Diablo, joined D.C. United of Major League Soccer in its inaugural season of 1996, leading the team to three MLS Cups. Named MLS MVP in 1998, in eight years with the team, he played 191 league games, scoring 34 goals and 101 assists (the games and assists are still DC records).

71 caps with 13 goals scored for the Bolivian national team between 1989 and 2003 represented his international career. The final lost 3-1 against Brazil gave him the silver medal in the 1997 Copa America. Etcheverry played the 1994 FIFA World Cup too.

He was a critical part of Bolivia's qualifying campaign for that tournament, scoring a massive goal against Brazil. Unfortunately, in that Cup he is remembered most for getting sent off in the very first part of the tournament's opening game against Germany, for kicking Germany's striker Lothar Matthaus.

Back to Bolivar where he played the 1990/91 season, Etcheverry ended the career with 7 matches in 2004.

Did you know?

- Etcheverry, retired from football at the end of the 2003 season. In 2005, he was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI.

- The Bolivian Congress awarded him with the Medal of Merit, for his sport achievements, in April 2006, shortly after his retirement, in a match between players of the Bolivia national team and the Friends of America (a team of players of the Americas).

- He is actually managing. Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero.

(S. Siviero)