Recent injuries to three solid defenders, David Stokes (concussion and neck strain), Brandon Prideaux (hamstring strain), and Bryan Namoff (avulsion fracture of the rib) have forced D.C. United to look for help on their depleted back line - even into their past.
Carlos Llamosa, a member of the D.C. United's 1997 and '99 MLS Cup Championship squads, will be on trial with United through Friday. Llamosa, an MLS all-star in 2001, was traded to the Miami Fusion for Brian Kamler and the fourth overall pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft, used to acquire Ryan Nelsen. With the departure of Nelsen to English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers and the recent cluster of injuries, United hopes Llamosa can return to his all-star form and renew the solid defense United has grown accustomed to.
Llamosa made 114 career appearances with D.C. United from '97-'00. He was selected by United in the first round of the '97 Supplemental Draft (eighth Overall), and started 25 games in his rookie season including all five MLS Cup Playoff matches. After his All-Star season with the Fusion in 2001, the New England Revolution selected Llamosa in the first round of the 2002 MLS Allocation/Dispersal Draft. He played two years for New England, appearing 46 times including eight playoff appearances. Llamosa was sidelined in 2004 by an ACL tear in his left knee. This preseason, the Revolution opted not to pick an option on his contract.
