D.C. United’s injury-troubled playmaker, Marcello Gallardo, is set to miss another four games at the most crucial point of his team’s season, reports Steven Goff. The Argentine, who had missed most of the past two and a half months following surgery on a sports hernia, has returned to his native country “to see a specialist about ailments related to” the same injury.
“We have exhausted all resources to try and get him back,” said United Coach Tom Soehn. The next step was a new rehab program focusing on the thigh and groin area, where the team said Gallardo has an adductor strain. “Whether it was the grind of this season or he came with it” when he signed with United last winter, Soehn said, “that is unclear. But it doesn’t change the fact he is not available right now.”
Gallardo was United’s first signing under the designated player rule, with total earnings of $1.9 million this season. Goff quoted “two sources familiar with his MLS deal” as saying that the player’s contract is also guaranteed for the 2009 season. United is 10-11-3 in MLS regular season play, and has six games left to cement a playoff spot, as well as playing six Concacaf Champions Cup group games in the coming seven weeks.