clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

D.C. United's roster gets a bit thinner, as Kyle Porter is called into Canada's Gold Cup squad

The roster hits just keep on coming for Ben Olsen's squad.

By Adam M Taylor
USA TODAY Sports

You heard it reported last week that Kyle Porter had been added to Canada's 23-man roster for the Gold Cup, and it was also reported that he wouldn't be called in unless the Canucks actually needed him. Well, after losing 1-0 to mighty (MIGHTY!) Martinique this weekend, Canada has decided that it needs Kyle Porter, now more than ever. Per D.C. United's Twitter feed, the club's young outside attacker won't be returning to the District with the team following last night's 0-0 draw against the Colorado Rapids. Instead, he'll be heading back to Seattle to join the Canadian Men's National Team in preparation for their July 11 match against Mexico.

Of course, with their loss to the tiny overseas department of France, Canada has a bit of a hole to dig out of in their two remaining Group A matches, against CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying finalists Mexico and Panama. Should Canada fail to make it through to the quarterfinals - i.e. if they fail to finish in the top two teams in their group or to finish as one of the top two third place sides in the three groups - Kyle Porter will actually miss no league time, thanks to United's two week break (h/t Goffinho). Of course, if Canada do manage to eke out some points against the two favorites in their group and make a miracle run (Hey, it's happened before.), Porter would be away from RFK until Les Rouges are knocked out or win the whole shebang.

The Black-and-Red are already missing Bill Hamid at least through the group stages, and presumably through the duration of the tournament. Chris Pontius is on the U.S. alternate roster, meaning he could be called in for the knockout phase should Juergen Klinsmann need the services of the forward/midfielder. Regardless of the short-term implications for United, congratulations are definitely in order for Porter, who has managed to climb from Vancouver Whitecaps academy washout to NASL all-star to MLS starter and national team player over the last few years.

More From Black And Red United