In need of reinforcements following injuries to both of its starting outside backs, D.C. United has acquired Mike Chabala from the Portland Timbers in exchange for a 2014 supplemental draft pick. To make room on the roster, United also announced the retirement of midfielder Kurt Morsink, who is set to remain with the club as scouting coordinator.
“Mike is an experienced MLS defender who will immediately upgrade our depth at the left back position,” United general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement.
Chabala, 28, has spent the last year in Portland, and before that had been with Houston since 2006 – meaning he’s played with current United players Dwayne De Rosario and Danny Cruz as well as assistant coach Pat Onstad. Chabala is expected to train with United on Friday and travel with the team for its match at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.
United left back Robbie Russell is currently out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and injury aggravated last month against Houston. He is expected to be out at least another couple of weeks. Last weekend, right back Daniel Woolard suffered a concussion during a second-half collision with teammate Emiliano Dudar. Listed as out, there is no timetable for Woolard’s return, and he also has a history, having had his career stalled by a concussion in 2010.
“We’ve had so much practice with it, I think we’re probably as well versed as any team in the league with this stuff,” United coach Ben Olsen said earlier this week. “Goody ‘[trainer Brian Goodstein] does a good job with him, and our doctors do a good job with him. It’s not a perfect science, though, and each case is different. We’ll evaluate Daniel symptomatically, as we do every guy with these head injuries. It’s a bad part of the game that seems like it’s happening more and more. It seems like a situation everybody is getting used to now, and the protocol is getting more specific and better, and the research, and that’s a good thing.”
Based on experience and familiarity, United’s outside backs on Saturday figure to be Chris Korb and Andy Najar, but Chabala could certainly see time.
Morsink, who played college soccer at James Madison, signed a new deal with D.C. in January 2011 but made only two appearances last year and hasn’t played a minute this season. However, his presence in the locker room is highly valued. He’s enthusiastic and professional – he’s also a Costa Rican native who is a strong communications link between the coaching staff and the team’s multiple Spanish-speaking players.
