Injuries are piling up for the Union
Bruises and strains and sickness have affected the roster.
The Union have been relatively healthy, but injuries are beginning to pile up. Coach Jim Curtin expressed hope that midfielders Chris Pontius and Roland Alberg and defender Ray Gaddis would be available Saturday at D.C. United, but nothing is assured.
In fact, all will likely have to show great improvement.
Pontius suffered a bruise on his right foot during practice Tuesday on a tackle by defender Oguchi Onyewu. Pontius underwent an MRI exam.
"There are no fractures or broken bones, but it is really swollen, and he can't put his shoe on quite yet, but the game isn't until Saturday," Curtin said Wednesday.
Pontius has started all nine games for the Union. He has yet to score but has a team-high three assists.
Alberg and Gaddis were hurt Saturday in a 3-0 win over the visiting New York Red Bulls. Neither of them has returned to full training, although both did some work Wednesday.
Gaddis suffered a shin bruise and Alberg a strained quadriceps. Curtin said Gaddis did some work on the side Wednesday and Alberg participated in passing exercises.
On Saturday, Keegan Rosenberry, who had not played the previous two games, replaced Gaddis in the 62nd minute. Rosenberry, an all-star last year, was benched the previous two games and likely wouldn't have played Saturday if Gaddis were not hurt.
It was a strong performance for Rosenberry, who could find himself back in the starting lineup if Gaddis isn't 100 percent.
Alberg was hurt in the 63rd minute and replaced by Derrick Jones. The Union will be without Jones, who is in Japan training with the U.S. under-20 national team for the FIFA under-20 World Cup.
Curtin mentioned Warren Creavalle and Adam Najem as possible replacements if Alberg is out. Najem has made just one appearance this year (for 19 minutes), and Creavalle, who started 21 games last year, has yet to play.
Center back Richie Marquez and midfielder Ilsinho, both of whom missed Saturday's game because of illness, are back to fully practicing and will be available, Curtin said.
The Union (1-4-4) are looking to avenge a 2-1 loss on April 1 to United at RFK Stadium. United (3-4-2) is coming off a 1-0 home loss Saturday to Montreal.
@sjnard