While the club has yet to offer specifics, it appears that D.C. United forward Eddie Johnson is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Johnson is reportedly recovering from a heart-related issue and will be sidelined indefinitely. D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen says that Johnson will be evaluated again in the next week or two.

“My concern is for Eddie, his well being,” Olsen told the Washington Post. “It’s not about us at this point. We just have to wait and see what the news is when he goes and gets that last appointment, and then we will deal with it from there. If he is good to go, great, we’ll work him back into fitness. If not, he will have to go a different road.

“He has been deconditioned on purpose,” Olsen added. “Hopefully he is okay and we can start moving him back into fitness.”

In addition, defender Steve Birnbaum is set to miss  between 10 days and two weeks after suffering a “very, very minor MCL tweak”. As a result, Birnbaum will likely miss the team’s friendlies in Austin, Texas this week as D.C. United prepares for a Feb. 26 CONCACAF Champions League matchup with Costa Rica’s Alajuelense.

Here are some more of Monday afternoon’s MLS news and notes:

UNION ADD CENTERBACK VITORIA

The Philadelphia Union have brought in a short-term addition at centerback that has the potential to be a long-term solution.

The Union announced Monday that the club has signed defender Steven Vitoria on loan from Portugal’s Benfica. Vitoria will spend the 2015 season with the Union, who have an option to buy at year’s end.

“We’re excited to bring Steven in and feel he is an excellent fit for the club,” Union technical director Chris Albright said. “He has the ability and experience to make an instant impact for us and is a player we’re expecting big things from.”

The 28-year-old, who stands at 6-foot-5, hails from Toronto, but has spent his entire professional career in Portugal while also representing the nation on the youth level.

FC DALLAS PARTNERS WITH ARIZONA UNITED

While a series of MLS sides have opted for the creation of their own USL Pro sides, FC Dallas have opted to go with an affiliate.

FC Dallas announced Monday that the club has partnered with Arizona United for the 2015 season. FC Dallas Homegrown product Jonathan Top was Arizona United’s top scorer last year, while the club is coached by former FC Dallas Michael Dellorusso.

“This agreement is a key step in fostering the development of our academy and reserve players,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “FC Dallas has one of the top academies in North America. We have signed the most players from our youth academy in league history. This initiative now allows FC Dallas to accelerate the improvement of those young players.”

ORLANDO CITY TO ASSESS ST. LEDGER, ANOTHER TRIALIST AT CENTERBACK

Orlando City have been faced with a sudden crisis in central defense following the departure of Paulo Andre, but the MLS newcomers have options.

One such option is current trialist Sean St. Ledger, formerly of England’s Ipswich Towy. The 30-year-old was previously looked at by D.C. United, but was released after just two games However, the Irish international remains an option at centerback for Orlando City, who will also bring in a trialist from England in the near future.

“Sean is very much first choice at the moment,” said Orlando City general manager Paul McDonough. “He has the experience and the kind of ability we’re looking for in the middle of the back four.

“But we will also be bringing over another English player from the Championship on Monday or Tuesday and giving him a full trial as well. He can play at both center back or on the right, so it’s perfectly possible we could sign both of them.”

RAPIDS HIRE MULLAN AS ASSISTANT COACH, COMMUNITY  AMBASSADOR 

Brian Mullan ended his playing career with a four-and-a-half year stint with the Colorado Rapids, and now the five-time MLS Cup winner is set to bring his winning pedigree to the club as an assistant coach.

The Rapids announced Monday that Mullin has joined the team as an assistant and community ambassador.

“The Rapids have treated me well as I transition from my playing career, and I’m very thankful for that,” Mullan said. “I’m really excited to be back out on the field and to be working with a great coaching staff.

“It will be a learning experience for me as a coach, but it is good to be with mentors that I can learn from. I’m also looking forward to the ambassador part of the job, but at the moment, the soccer has pretty much taken up most of my time.”

Mullan, who retired last fall, won the MLS Cup as a member of the Rapids, LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo throughout his 14-year playing career.

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What do you make of the Johnson update? How will Vitoria fit with the Impact? What do you think of FC Dallas’ partnership with Arizona United?

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