WASHINGTON – Amid the Charlie Davies love-a-thon at RFK Stadium last weekend, there was another feel-good story that was nearly lost in the shuffle of D.C. United's 3-1 win over Columbus:
Chris Pontius made his first start since last August.
The versatile attacker started and went 90 minutes in the win, his first significant game action since a hamstring injury knocked him out seven months ago and required offseason surgery. On Tuesday, Pontius said said he's fully recovered.
“I honestly feel faster than I ever have before,” Pontius told MLSsoccer.com after training. “This hamstring’s been bugging me for a while, so to be able to run pain-free for 90 minutes, I feel strong, I feel fast, I feel good. Game fitness, it’ll come with a couple more games, and that goes for everyone on our team.”
A healthy Pontius made for a dangerous asset on the left wing against the Crew. He looked relatively sharp, and won the penalty that Charlie Davies scored to extend DC's lead in the second half.
The whole experience was something special, Pontius said.
“It was amazing," he said. "For Charlie, for our team, for our fans. Last year was a rough year in a number ways for D.C. United and a number of ways for Charlie. So to have that come together in the first game of the season at home is the perfect way to start the season.”
It's been a long road for Pontius to get to the season opener. After months of inactivity he's needed the full seven weeks of preseason to work out all the rust.
“I was in preseason and everyday you push yourself a little bit more and I think I’ve gotten to a point where I’m not holding back at all," he said. "Shots, sprints, I’m pretty much full pace out there every play."
More good news that United will take happily.
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