Immediate concerns at D.C. United have turned from concussions to a lack of forwards, and in one case, the two issues are related.
United could be down to one healthy forward after Joseph Ngwenya got clobbered in a collision at training on Tuesday, came up wobbly and had to be helped off the field.
The irony was that the session saw the return of Santino Quaranta, who was jogging around the field for the first time since suffering a head injury in May. Devon McTavish, who has been out since preseason, also was jogging.
Rookie forward Blake Brettschneider was also back in full practice after taking a boot to the face in D.C.’s victory at New York on July 9. Although he might normally be brought back slowly, Ngwenya’s injury – combined with injuries to Charlie Davies (knee inflammation) and Josh Wolff (hamstring) – could force him back into action as soon as Saturday’s visit to San Jose. Neither Davies nor Wolff practiced on Tuesday.
“It’s not ideal,” United head coach Ben Olsen said. “The good think is Blake got through training today so we’ll be able to put something together.”
If Brettschneider has to start, who might partner with him up top? Chris Pontius had a strong performance at forward against Everton, scoring D.C. United’s lone goal in the 3-1 exhibition loss last weekend. If he moves from his usual place on the wing, Austin da Luz could take his place.
Jed Zayner (knee) was also running with Quaranta, a good sign that he is progressing after knee surgery three and a half weeks ago. Midfielder Brandon Barklage, another concussion victim, returned to practice last week.
