Pontius ditches cast, crutches; return to field imminent

WASHINGTON ? The loss of midfielder Chris Pontius turned out to be a hammer blow for D.C. United.

Without their rising star on the left flank ? lost for the season with a fractured tibia suffered against Chivas USA on Sept. 10 ? D.C. mustered a 1-6-2 record down the stretch and saw their shot at the club?s first postseason since 2007 slip away.

The 24-year-old, now walking without crutches or a cast, nears a return to the field and offseason preparations.

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