By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 1, 2006; E02

Santino Quaranta rejoined D.C. United yesterday after taking a week-long leave of absence and might be in uniform tonight for the club's U.S. Open Cup round-of-16 match against Columbus at Maryland SoccerPlex.

"It was just something I had to sort out with my family and myself," the 21-year-old midfielder-forward said after an hour-long practice at the RFK Stadium training grounds. "Everything is fine and I'm happy to be back with the guys."

Quaranta, sidelined most of the season with hamstring injuries, did not travel with the team to Salt Lake City last weekend.

"Everyone has personal issues at some time, he went home and took care of them and now he's back to work," assistant coach Tom Soehn said.

United Notes: According to sources around MLS, the New York Red Bulls have expressed interest in acquiring former D.C. midfielder Dema Kovalenko, who joined a club in his native Ukraine last winter after United decided to not renew his contract.

United has maintained Kovalenko's MLS rights and would be compensated (probably with draft picks or salary cap considerations) if he signed with New York. . . .

John Harkes, United's youth development director and TV color commentator, was hired by the Red Bulls as an assistant coach under Bruce Arena. . . .

Defender John Wilson (knee tendinitis) and midfielder Domenic Mediate (quadriceps strain) are unlikely to play tonight. . . . Defender Brandon Prideaux, who underwent knee surgery four weeks ago, returned to practice yesterday and did some light running. He will not be available to play for at least another week.