To the list of obstacles impeding D.C. United's push for the playoffs can be added injuries to midfielder Fred, who is out for the season.
Fred has aggravated a strained hamstring, and like midfielder Marcelo Gallardo, won't return to action this year.

In 21 league games (19 starts), he scored two goals and was credited with four assists. Last year, he scored seven goals and picked up eight assists while playing 26 games in his debut MLS season.

He scored the winning goal for D.C. in the U.S. Open Cup final, a 2-1 victory against Charleston Sept. 3, and in four Concacaf Champions' Cup games early in the season he scored one goal and registered three assists.

In the Open Cup final, already bothered by a sore hamstring, he replaced midfielder Joe Vide five minutes before halftime, and five minutes into the second half ran onto a dummied Clyde Simms long ball to smack home the decisive goal.

D.C. plays the fourth of its six Concacaf Champions League matches Thursday in San Jose, Costa Rica, against Deportivo Saprissa. It has named a 16-man roster* devoid of several regulars for the match. They will be rested for a crucial league match Sunday at Houston.

* Goalkeepers: Zach Wells, James Thorpe; Defenders: Marc Burch, Greg Janicki, Gonzalo Martinez, Devon McTavish, Mike Zaher; Midfielders: Pat Carroll, Rod Dyachenko, Ryan Miller, Joe Vide, Ryan Cordeiro, Craig Thompson; Forwards: Thabiso Khumalo, Francis Doe, Quevas Kirk.