Josh Gros has been one of D.C. United's grittiest, most reliable performers since he joined the team as a fourth-round SuperDraft pick in 2004. The Rutgers University graduate had planned a career with the U.S. Marines had he not won a spot on United's roster, and in the three years since, he's earned a reputation for his work ethic, intensity and no-nonsense play as a defender and wide midfielder.
But a disquieting accumulation of head traumas, most recently against the Columbus Crew two weeks ago, has given the hard-charging Gros cause for introspection. It was his second such injury this year and the 25-year-old estimates that at least 15 similar incidents have taken place dating back to his sophomore year in high school.
Gros has broken both wrists, his right one three times, and shaken off a number of minor ailments over his United career, rarely missing a match in the process. But after coming off the field early in the Crew match, he experienced blurred vision and vomiting, and this time he's had to step back from full action, recognizing the dangers posed by head injuries like his.
"I usually played through whatever injuries came my way. I've played through concussions before, but that's probably not the smartest thing," said Gros. "It is different for me. I'm not used to having to sit out, but there's nothing I can do about it. ... I'm hoping for the best, but maybe assuming the worst, because I may have to sit out for a while."
This time, aware of the potential long-term consequences, Gros is reigning in his competitive instincts and waiting for the recovery process -- which is frustratingly ambiguous for such ailments -- to run its course.
"I guess I'm getting wiser, maybe," he said. "I'm starting to think about my future instead of just playing -- I just love playing, playing as hard as I can, and this sort of puts a damper on that."
Cautionary tales abound. Former Crew star Ross Paule saw his playing days cut short by post-concussion syndrome, and Gros' friend and former teammate Alecko Eskandarian spent the better part of a year sidelined by chronic headaches after taking a knee to the head in a June 2005 match. Now with Real Salt Lake, Eskandarian called Gros in the days following the Columbus match to offer his support and encouragement.
"He was in a different situation, where he had headaches every day," said Gros. "I haven't had anything like that. But he just said, 'take it easy, take your time getting back.' That's what I learned from what he went through."
Head coach Tom Soehn and his staff are eager to have Gros back in the lineup, but he says they share his cautious approach as he looks towards a full recuperation.
"I think they know that if I'm injured, it's something serious," said Gros. "They know I'd never sit out unless it was something pretty serious. So they understand the situation and Tommy's been great to me, communicating to me, 'take as much time as you need, just get yourself healthy.'"
Gros and United got some encouraging news from his trip to Pittsburgh for a consultation with concussion specialist Dr. Mark Lovell. His most recent symptoms were diagnosed as post-traumatic migraines rather than concussions, and he's been prescribed medication that team officials hope will get him back to full speed quickly.
"The reports are coming in a lot better than expected. We should have him back soon," said Soehn. "I think it was overdone a little bit. A lot of people jumped to conclusions before he was truly evaluated, and it turns out it might not be what everybody thought."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
