The MLS playoff hopes for D.C. United and World Cup qualifying hopes for Canada both took a major hit on Thursday amid word that playmaker Dwayne DeRosario will miss 10-12 weeks with a sprained MCL.
D.C. United announced the severity of the injury, which DeRosario suffered during Canada's World Cup qualifying loss to Panama last Tuesday. Just last week, DeRosario scored the game-winning goal for Canada against Panama in Toronto on Friday.
Now D.C. United must try and climb back into the playoff picture without their best player, while Canada is faced with two crucial qualifiers in October without the national team's all-time leading scorer. Canada is currently tied for second place in CONCACAF qualifying Group C with Honduras, two points behind group leader Panama. Canada faces Cuba on Oct. 12th before taking on the 'Catrachos' in Honduras in a decisive group finale on Oct. 16th.
D.C. United is currently one point behind the surging Columbus Crew for the fifth and final playoff spot in the East, with seven games remaining this season. Ben Olsen's squad will have to rely on players such as Branko Boskovic, Chris Pontius and Andy Najar to try and pick up the slack for DeRosario's absence from the attack.
What do you think of this development? See D.C. United making the playoffs without DeRosario? Think Canada can still reach the Hex without him?
Share your thoughts below.
Just as deserved as last year.
Now Canada REALLY needs JdeG 2. Too bad he is a prick.
Can we still give him the MVP? Just because?
I despise DC but I can’t say this was something I wanted for De Ro or DC.
I will be stunned if you’re right, but if you are, I will come back here to give you a high five
uuughhhhhh
he had that role because DC let him. they built the team around him, deservedly, but neglected to test a backup plan for times like this.
he IS a great player, but i’m not worried about a significant drop
we may actually play BETTER
not really
in the run of play pontius / najar / deleon = deadly even minus derosario
bosko is consistently capable of delivering dangerous set pieces with pace
they just have to step up and benny has to put them in the best position to win by managing lineups / subs properly
+1000
agree
not just the second half…first couple games he was off too
I don’t know if Olsen/Canada know it or not but DeRo is no spring chicken anymore no matter how fit he thinks he is. He can’t play all these games and not get injured. I’m a DCU supporter and I saw this coming from a mile away, he has been out of gas since after the All Star game and in dire need of a rest.
this is not good news for derosario. i’ve liked him as a player even before he came to DC. his hat trick against RSL last was one the wildest sports moments i’ve ever watched unfold.
what i havent liked is how much we relied on him. 90 minutes every single match could wear down ANY player regardless of age/ability.
sad that this is the result but i honestly dont think it ends our season…DC has a roster that can overcome this
not sure if we have a coach who is able to adjust and adapt
I feel bad for Canada too. And DeRo. DCU, not so much.
False
He hasn’t been that good for the second half of the season.
That sucks. Was pulling for Canada to get through. They need to get a point in Honduras to do so, which was going to be tough even with DeRo.
Suck it United! Revs will be alive for another week! Playoffs 2012 here we come!
On a serious note, I feels bad for Canada, since he was the only one capable of threatening an opponents goal.
That has to kill DC and Canada.
Wait til next year and wait til four years.
Bummer.
F**k. S**t. Despite having Pontius and Najar, DeRo really was the offensive creator and boss of the midfield. Losing him cannot be understated. I’m an optimist, but I really see us having a hard time making the playoffs without him. This should have been our year. What happened.
terrible news! one of the best players in Concacaf..
as for Canada if they don’t pile it on Cuba i don’t see them going to the next round. The next game is in Honduras which is never easy to even get a draw. I see this group being settled on goal differential and right now Canada is at 0 where Panama is +4.
wasn’t there a stretch where Canada was playing well with out DeRo, gold cup a few years ago? Still i don’t see where the offence comes from without him.