D.C. United forward Eddie Johnson will miss the first three weeks of preseason, the team announced in a Friday tweet.
No details were provided other than to say Johnson’s absence is due to “medical reasons” and that he’ll be “undergoing medical tests.” Johnson’s absence will likely keep him out of the bulk of United’s preseason schedule and put him in jeopardy of missing their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals matchup against Costa Rica’s Alajuelense, Feb. 26 and March 4.
The Designated Player was also held out of the starting lineup in the second leg of United’s Eastern Conference semifinal match last season against the New York Red Bulls because of a health scare after he was admitted to the ER and kept overnight due to dehydration and high blood pressure.
The Washington Post reported that Johnson reported to RFK on Thursday for standard testing, but he was held out of their first training session Friday at Long Bridge Park in Arlington, Va.
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United are scheduled to fly to Florida on Saturday for preseason camp, where they will play three friendlies. The Post reported that Johnson will remain in the D.C. area for several weeks.
Following their Florida camp, United will then play in a preseason tournament in Austin, Texas in mid-February before starting their competitive schedule with the two CCL matches and their MLS regular-season opener March 7 against the Montreal Impact.
