D.C. United defender Donovan Pines will be sidelined about a month with a sprained knee ligament, the latest setback to a back line riddled with injuries this spring.
An MRI exam revealed a Grade 2 sprain to a medial collateral ligament, Coach Ben Olsen said Tuesday.
Pines, a rookie from the University of Maryland who has started four of the past five games, is expected to miss six MLS matches.
“It’s disappointing,” Olsen said. “I am disappointed for him. He was in a good rhythm and each game was getting a little bit better. It was nice to see him grow.