D.C. United likely will begin the 2010 season without three of their regular defensive starters thanks to injuries both new and old.
Defender Marc Burch is looking at a multiple-month layoff due to a stress fracture in his foot, and defensive midfielder Clyde Simms will miss the next three to four weeks with a torn meniscus in his knee.
United has been without right back Bryan Namoff since last fall due to lingering issues connected to a concussion.
D.C.’s first game is at Kansas City on March 27.
“The team’s going to have to rally a little bit, and guys are going to have to pick up their games,” said defender Devon McTavish, who has slid into Namoff’s position.
Quaranta back at practice
United general manager Dave Kasper and head coach Curt Onalfo both said Tuesday that Santino Quaranta is the fittest they’ve ever seen him, and both have known him for nearly a decade.
After suffering a foot injury in October, Quaranta finally returned to practice Monday and played 60 minutes in a preseason match on Friday.
“Santino is a man on a mission,” said Onalfo.
The 25-year-old is expected to be United’s first choice at attacking midfielder this season, and he’s also aiming to stay on the U.S. national team radar, either for the upcoming World Cup or beyond.
“It was a big year for me last year,” said Quaranta, who made four appearances for the national team in 2009. “I enjoyed a lot of things that happened, and you just want more. I don’t want to be a guy that doesn’t fulfill the potential that I could have. I want to experience everything. I’m at the point in my career now where I kind of have to make a move and make that next step to being a better player in this league and seeing where that takes me.”
Allsopp introduced
Danny Allsopp, who was formally introduced by D.C. United on Tuesday, could be the first Australian to play in an MLS match when the regular season begins. To be a pioneer, the Melbourne native gave up some native traditions, such as the band, AC/DC.
“I actually had tickets to go see them before I left,” said Allsopp. “I missed out on that. I’m hoping that there’s plenty going on in the United States that I can get out and enjoy as well.”
