WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the waning hours of Major League Soccer’s primary transfer window, D.C. United faced yet another injury to a key defender.
Homegrown defender Donovan Pines is the latest player to catch the injury bug after spraining a ligament in his knee during the 3-1 win over Columbus Crew last week.
“I am disappointed for him,” coach Ben Olsen said. “It was nice to see him grow, but this is pro sports for him and injury and dealing with that is all going to be part of his growth.”
After an MRI, the club determined Pines’ injury is a Grade 2 sprain to his medial collateral ligament, Olsen confirmed Tuesday. Pines was awarded the University of Maryland’s Male Athlete of the Year award Monday at the annual Terp Awards. He joined United from Maryland through a homegrown contract earlier this year. In a time of desperation, Pines filled in when United switched to a three-man backline.
Pines is the latest in a growing list of injured defenders, especially out wide. Left backs Joseph Mora and Oniel Fisher are still a month or more away. Defender Chris McCann (hamstring), Leo Jara (groin) and midfielder Russell Canouse returned last week. United made just one trade this window adding in FC Dallas left back Marquinhos Pedroso for relief.
“It is one of the reasons why we picked up some depth in the back with Marquinhos,” Olsen said. “We still have Fred [Brillant], Steve [Birnbaum] and Jalen [Robinson] who have given us some good minutes this year. We will be ok.”
Without Pines this week, United will most likely switch back to the 4-2-3-1 formation. Pedroso will likely be the option at left back.
“We were going to speed [Pedroso’s integration] up as quick as possible with or without [Pines],” Olsen said. “I am sure [Pedroso] is going to see minutes sooner than later.”
United now have two months before the secondary transfer window opens and the real moves begin. Midfielder Luciano Acosta’s contract is still set to expire this offseason, and with Rooney reaching 34 years old come October, United specifically needs reinforcement at the No. 9 and No. 10 positions.
This window, United was in a rare spot of comfort. The targets for United consisted of more depth players and players that could fit specific late-game scenarios.
“It is an urgency you always have to have in this league now. Whether it is every deadline or window opening, I think you have to look to get better because that is just the way the league is going,” Olsen said. “We like our group and we think we can still chug along and grab points, and then get better in the summertime.”
If and when United returns multiple players to full fitness, the club will have multiple options across the defense and midfield. For now, United will have to manage with the current group of available players. The Black-and-Red face another team riddled by injury in Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.