Gros Is Uncertain He Will Play Again This Year

D.C. United's Josh Gros, who has suffered two head injuries the past five months, was cleared to resume exercising this week but remains uncertain whether he will play again this season.

Gros, a midfielder and defender, has not played since experiencing blurred vision and headaches after routinely heading the ball in the early moments of an Aug. 18 match at Columbus.

He said at the time that he thought he had suffered another concussion -- he believes he has had at least 15 since high school -- but after seeing specialists in Washington and Pittsburgh, Gros was told he was experiencing post-traumatic migraines.

"I've had concussions and I've had migraines, and both have the same symptoms for me," Gros said. "Distinguishing which one is which is the hard part. I'm going to try the medicine they gave me, see if that works and see if that's what it really is."

Gros, 25, participated in light training yesterday but did not play in the full-field scrimmage. He is being run through physical tests this week and, if all goes well, might be able to intensify his workouts next week.

"Hopefully the meds will alleviate the issues he's having," Coach Tom Soehn said. "The doctors have given us the green light to get him back into work next week, so we're excited it wasn't what we initially thought."

In a news release issued late yesterday, the team stated that, barring a setback, Gros would be available for selection for the trip to Los Angeles to play Chivas USA on Sept. 6.

However, Gros responded by saying: "I don't know where they got that [date] from. I've talked to Tommy at length and we're completely on the same page: There's no thought of me playing anytime soon. We're going to take it slow and be cautious."

Gros, in his fourth MLS season from Rutgers, has become one of United's most reliable players. He has made 106 appearances (97 starts) and played in both outside positions on the back line as well as on both flanks in the midfield.

A blue-collar player considered one of the team's top athletes, Gros contributed his first goal of the season during United's 3-0 victory at Eastern Conference leader New England on Aug. 5.

"I'm still concerned, it's still scary," said Gros, who missed the league opener in April after getting hit in the back of the head with the ball during a Champions' Cup match in Guadalajara, Mexico, a few days earlier. "My health is important, not just as a player, but 10-15 years down the road."

Emilio Set to Return

Brazilian striker Luciano Emilio, who leads MLS with 14 goals, is scheduled to return to regular training today after missing Saturday's match at Toronto with a strained hamstring (his first absence of the year).

Emilio worked out on the side yesterday. Soehn said he hopes to have him available for this Saturday's game at Dallas.

Meantime, midfielder Ben Olsen, who sat out the Toronto match with a sore ankle, participated in yesterday's scrimmage and is likely to return to the starting lineup this weekend. . . .

United officials said they will honor team captain Jaime Moreno, who set the MLS all-time goals record last week, in a pregame ceremony Sept. 9 at RFK Stadium. Three days later, the club plans to recognize Real Salt Lake defender Eddie Pope, who spent seven years with United and will retire this fall after 12 seasons in MLS.