WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United's David Stokes underwent season-ending surgery to his left ankle yesterday (Thursday, Sept. 8). The third-year defender had an arthroscopic repair of a cartilage injury, performed by team doctor, Chris Annunziata, at the Commonwealth Orthopedic VA Hospital Center. Stokes will be out for the remainder of the season, but is expected to return to full strength for the 2006 pre-season.
Stokes, a product of the University of North Carolina, was drafted in 2003 and has played 21 career MLS games (six starts). Before his injury he saw time in ten games this season (three starts). On June 15, Stokes produced the game-winning assist in the waning minutes of play against the Chicago Fire. Stokes and fellow defender Bobby Boswell provided the much-needed offense in the final minutes of the game, as Stokes delivered a perfect ball from the right touchline to the feet of Boswell, waiting at the far post. Boswell tapped the ball in to the back of the net to secure the 4-3 victory for the Black-and-Red.
In 2002, Stokes was a member of the U.S. U-23 National Team and traveled to Portugal and Italy. He was one of five players named to the U.S. U-23 squad for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in February of 2003. He made two appearances in the tournament, both starts, and played 90 minutes in each match. He tallied an assist on the deciding goal in the U-23's 4-3 win over Honduras in group- play.
