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Groin injury sidelines D.C. United’s Pontius vs. Crew

Pontius (Getty)

By THOMAS FLOYD

A rough start to the season for Chris Pontius and the D.C. United attack just went from bad to worse.

Pontius will miss United’s trip to face the Columbus Crew on Saturday after suffering a groin strain during training Thursday. While Pontius has only notched a single assist for United (1-5-1), the left winger has gone the full 90 minutes every match and remains a dynamic piece of a D.C. attack that has only scored four goals this season.

First-year players Kyle Porter and Marcos Sanchez figure to start on the flanks for United on Saturday. Rookie left back Taylor Kemp, who while playing midfield scored two goals in a preseason win over second-tier Tampa Bay, has been recalled from his loan with third-division Richmond.

Pontius is coming off a 12-goal campaign during which he earned Best XI and All-Star Game MVP honors. His season ended when he aggravated a groin injury in the first leg of the Eastern Conference final against Houston, forcing him to miss the rest of the playoffs and the U.S. national team’s January camp.

United also remain without first-choice midfielders Nick DeLeon (hamstring) and John Thorrington (knee), as well as versatile reserve Lewis Neal (groin).

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How big a blow will Pontius’ loss be for United? Can Sanchez and Porter step up in his absence? Or will United’s attack continue to struggle?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Pontius said this season he was worried about re injuring his groin. He thought it was just in his head. Turns out it wasn’t. Forget Olsen, fire the trainer! jerk!

    Reply
    • Pontius shouldn’t have been playing yet this season, hence his poor form. He was still injured by the looks oft. Fire the trainer!

      Reply
  2. “a dynamic piece of a D.C. attack that has only scored four goals this season”

    would’ve said “integral” instead of “dynamic”, but whatever.

    and those who are wondering how much worse we could be have obviously forgotten our abysmal 2010 season. that’s what we’re looking at.

    Reply
  3. Might even help them. He’s been pretty poor. They already have the second worst offense in the league, so how much could he really be helping?

    Reply
    • And Sanchez is just coming off a small knock so I’m not sure he can start.

      This just gives Benny another excuse to point to when we lose. You’re right, as a fan I have not been pleased at all with Pontius’ production this season, and anyone saying he deserves to be at the GC is crazy.

      Benny and co had a horrible off season and without a seasoned coach who knows tactics, we can’t grind out results. We’re back to a slowly sinking ship. Yes, I am a Debbie Downer at the moment…

      Reply

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