Perkins Hopes to Make Return vs. Chivas

Troy Perkins, D.C. United's all-star goalkeeper who has been recuperating from a quadriceps injury, said yesterday that he believes he will be able to start tomorrow night against Mexican club Chivas in the Champions' Cup semifinal opener at RFK Stadium.

"There is still some pain, but come game time, we'll get through it," Perkins said following a 90-minute training session in which he participated in an exercise with the starting defenders and midfielders.

"We've done everything over the past 10, 12 days to make sure I will be ready to play. I don't want to put all that work in for nothing."

Perkins, the 2006 MLS goalie of the year, strained his right quadriceps attempting a kick during the second half against Olimpia of Honduras on March 1 at RFK and did not play in last week's friendly with Motagua (Honduras) in Miami.

If Perkins plays in tomorrow's game -- the first leg of a two-game, total-goal series -- he might yield goal kicks to teammates and, after making saves, use quick outlet throws instead of punts to trigger the attack.

Although he has been practicing kicks with his weaker left foot and believes he can drive the ball, punting with that leg is definitely out. "No way, no chance," he said, "because you don't know where it's going to go."

The coaching staff will monitor Perkins's right-footed kicks in training today before deciding whether he's ready to start. If not, Jay Nolly, a third-year player with six career league starts, would get the job.

"We've been cautious with [Perkins] kicking the ball because that's where he got his injury," assistant coach Mark Simpson said. "His movements in the goal -- coming out for crosses, making saves -- I don't have any worries about him.

"I would like to see him in there, but obviously we're going to test it out fully and see where we are."

Fred Remains Entangled

United officials are planning to hold a conference call tonight with their counterparts from Australian club Melbourne Victory in an attempt to resolve contract issues involving Brazilian midfielder-forward Fred, sources close to the situation said.

Fred has signed a multiyear deal with United, but Melbourne, his current club, is claiming it retains his rights (even though the Australian season is over) and should be entitled to a transfer fee.

Fred's pact with Melbourne does not officially expire until June 30, but FIFA guidelines allow players to sign elsewhere within six months of a contract's conclusion. It is common practice worldwide for clubs to terminate the contract of a departing player.

Fred's U.S. work visa has been approved and he is tentatively scheduled to arrive in Washington this week. United officials declined to comment on the matter.

Willis to Rejoin Team

Kiki Willis, a former Ohio high school scoring phenom who played two years at Elon University, has agreed to a developmental contract with United and will rejoin the team today.

Willis, a midfielder and forward, impressed United at an indoor tryout at Dulles SportsPlex and participated in preseason workouts before toe ailments sidelined him. He was formally acquired in a waiver draft this week. . . .

Brazilian forward Welton Silva and Danish defender Jamil Fearrington were not offered contracts after completing their tryouts. . . . Midfielder Rod Dyachenko continues to recuperate from a minor knee injury and is not expected to be in uniform tomorrow. . . .

MLS and the German Bundesliga announced a formal relationship in which the leagues will exchange, among other things, marketing ideas, stadium design and player-development plans. The deal might also lead to international exhibitions.