Camp opens with six players injured, Hamid with national team Even with the addition of a newly signed striker, D.C. United had more trialists, supplemental draft picks and out-of-contract invitees than healthy, rostered players in the windy, biting cold at Long Bridge Park in Arlington for the first official day of training camp for the 2012 season.
“Don’t worry guys,” United coach Ben Olsen said, “We’re going to have a team, OK? I know you’re all very concerned about this, but we will have a team.”
| Injury report |
| Chris Pontius » leg fracture |
| Ethan White » knee, hernia surgery |
| Perry Kitchen » turf toe |
| Nick DeLeon » quadriceps strain |
| Josh Wolff » stress fracture in foot |
| Chris Korb » groin strain |
With Brazilian forward Maicon Santos, Olsen’s rostered group was still just 13 players; another six, including top draft pick Nick DeLeon, are recovering from injuries, and starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid is with the U.S. national team.
Players had begun to assemble earlier in the week at RFK Stadium, but Wednesday brought their first official touches with the ball. After reigning MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario said a few words to the entire group, the returners worked on one side of the field, while the youngsters fought for the eye of the coaches on the other. Olsen said cuts were expected before the team departs next week for Sarasota, Fla., where more signings and trialists are expected.
“You can tell that Ben has something in mind and wants to do something,” said veteran defender Robbie Russell, who was acquired from Real Salt Lake in November, a move in part that allowed him to reunite with his wife in Washington. “Unfortunately, the locker room’s a little small right now, so until we fill out the locker room, we can’t really know what the team is going to be.”
Santos’ arrival was hardly a moment of triumph after a quiet offseason in which the team did extensive scouting abroad. The 27-year-old Brazilian has played for three different MLS teams over the last three seasons.
“I move around more than I want to,” said Santos, who also considered offers from Kansas City, Los Angeles and outside the United States. “That’s been my problem in this time that I’m in the U.S., but now I think I’m the right way right now to work and be successful with a club.”
His best stint came alongside De Rosario at Toronto FC, where he scored four goals after being traded from Chivas USA during the 2010 season and another six in 19 games last year before being shipped to FC Dallas. Santos, who was paid $126,000 last year, said he was in contact with De Rosario as a friend before joining D.C. United.
“He fits in really nicely in the way we want to play,” Olsen said. “He can hold the ball up and let our other attackers get into the play, and he’s familiar with Dwayne as well. He’s familiar with Dwayne, familiar with the league. … I know he was a big signing initially for some teams, but I have no doubt that he’s going to do well for us. The past really isn’t too important to me.”
