MLS: D.C. United’s Gori out 4-6 months

D.C. United left back Mario Gori underwent reconstructive surgery Feb. 6 to repair damage to his right knee.

The Argentine was injured in keep-away drills on the MLS champions’ first day of practice in Bradenton, Fla.

He suffered a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament.

Gori is expected to be out 4-6 months. To shore up its defense, D.C. United is looking at two defenders: Uruguayan Marcelo Velasco and Colombian Carlos Llamosa, its first pick in the Supplemental Draft.

In camp has been Honduran national team defender Arnold Cruz, recently released by Mexican First Division club Morelia.

D.C. United will be in Bradenton until Feb. 16. It will play Nagoya Grampus Eight in the Sanwa Bank Cup March 2 in Tokyo.

It is expected to be without U.S. national team players Jeff Agoos, John Harkes and Eddie Pope. The U.S. opens World Cup ’98 qualifying in CONCACAF’s Hexagonal the same day against Jamaica in Kingston.