D.C. United are on course to secure the top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference, but their ambitions of an MLS Cup run took a knock on Tuesday as in-form striker Luis Silva was ruled out for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, according to the Washington Post.
The club has yet to make an official announcement, but if accurate, that prognosis would likely sideline the Cal-Santa Barbara product for the Eastern Conference semifinals series expected to take place in early November. Should United advance, he could be fit again in time for the conference finals, which will take place at the end of the month thanks to the FIFA international window from Nov. 10-18.
Silva sustained the injury in Sunday's 3-1 road win over the Houston Dynamo, and that contest's lengthy weather delay is a prime culprit, said United head coach Ben Olsen on Tuesday.
“You have been sitting there for an hour. You are always at risk injuring muscles after delays,” Olsen told reporters after the win, his club's first-ever victory in Houston. “You try to do a good job getting warm, but sometimes it happens.”
Silva has become a key attacking cog for D.C. this year, striking up an effective partnership with Fabian Espindola and scoring 11 goals and four assists in 22 starts. His spot up top looks likely to be filled either by Designated Player Eddie Johnson or versatile veteran Chris Pontius.
“It’s a little disappointing, but it could have been worse,” Silva told the Post's Steven Goff. “I just have to look at it in a positive way and get back for the playoffs. I have faith in my team that we will get to the conference finals. They have to take care of it on the field and I will take care of what I can off the field.”
