Steve Cronin, who was acquired from expansion Portland in a December trade that sent goalkeeper Troy Perkins to the Timbers in return, will miss the next 8-10 weeks, according to United general manager Dave Kasper, after suffering a broken wrist during United’s preseason training session in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday.
Cronin was expected to compete for the starting job with D.C.’s other top keeper, Bill Hamid, who has yet to complete his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery last fall. Hamid is expected to play his first matches since surgery when the team participates in the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, S.C., at the beginning of March.
United also has Chase Harrison, who joined as the team’s third goalkeeper last season, and recent draft pick Joe Willis, and Kasper the team does not have immediate plans to find a replacement for Cronin.
Midfielder Junior Carreiro is also expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks after spraining his left ankle in D.C.’s 4-0 preseason win over Florida International on Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the team brought trialist Charlie Davies from Florida to Washington on Thursday for medical testing and evaluation, and Davies was expected to rejoin the team on Friday.
“I think by early next week we’ll have a final decision,” said Kasper.
