By FRANCO PANIZO
The top team in the East just lost its top scorer at the worst of times.
D.C. United will be without attacker Luis Silva for the next 4-6 weeks after he suffered a strained right hamstring in the first half of this Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo.
It is believed that the injury, sustained on his 26th birthday, was caused mostly because of a 72-minute weather delay that took place in the first half at BBVA Compass Stadium. He likely will be out of commission until at least the conference finals in late November should D.C. make it that far.
The loss of Silva is a big blow to the club, which is on the brink of clinching first place in the Eastern Conference after a record-setting bad season in 2013. Silva has scored 11 times for D.C. United this season, assisted on four other goals and served as a good complement to forward Fabian Espindola.
Head coach Ben Olsen seems most likely to turn to Eddie Johnson now, though Chris Pontius is another option. Johnson has scored six goals and recorded two assists in his first season in D.C. while Pontius just recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff.
D.C. United host the Chicago Fire on Saturday in their penultimate match of the regular season.
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What do you make of this development? How big of a blow is this to D.C. United’s playoff changes? Who should Olsen turn to to fill the void?
Share your thoughts below.
Rolfe has resumed training. He’ll be ready soon. Recovering from broken forearm — nothing wrong with his legs — just a game-fitness issue.
wow no you guys will be forced to play EJ. Sucks
So, in fact, the injury wasn’t caused by the weather delay, but by the fact that he didn’t warm up enough after the weather delay. Don’t blame lack of professionalism on the weather.
Baloney comment. The teams got only 15 minutes to warm up after the hour+ stoppage. Silva warmed up with the team. Calling him “unprofessional” isn’t really warranted. Stuff happens.
If DC makes it to the conference final, I hope he doesn’t try to come back too soon. Coming back too soon from a hamstring injury is a great way to drastically shorten a career.
Obviously he shouldn’t try to come back too soon.
But playing in the conference finals with a chance at MLS Cup ?…that is his career.
What else is he playing for, but to win it all ?
no! this is such a bummer!
Is that you Jurgen?