WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United announced today forward Alecko Eskandarian had bilateral hernia repair this week in Munich, Germany. Eskandarian, who was diagnosed with iguinal hernias during pre-season training in Spain, underwent procedures on both the left and right abdominal walls. Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck, a specialist who has performed this particular surgery on more than 1,000 professional soccer players worldwide, performed the same surgery last year on defender Bryan Namoff and midfielder Christian Gomez. Eskandarian's recovery will take two weeks and the forward should be ready for the beginning of the 2006 season.
"We've experienced nothing but positives in dealing with Dr. Muschaweck in the past," said United Technical Director, Dave Kasper. "We feel that sending Alecko to Germany for this procedure allows Alecko the quickest return to playing for D.C. United."
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After suffering a difficult 2005 season, the Black-and-Red is certainly looking forward to having Eskandarian back at full health to begin the 2006 campaign. In the 2005 season, the striker saw time in only 12 games (seven starts), before suffering a concussion in a collision with New England goalkeeper Matt Reis on 6/18. The 2004 MLS Cup MVP notched one assist in League play, and scored the first United goal of 2005, when he struck for a first half goal versus Harbour View FC of Jamaica in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
