Onstad is "best option" in DC goal

WASHINGTON — With mounting injury concerns in goal, D.C. United announced Thursday night that assistant coach Pat Onstad is coming out of retirement and returning to play for the club.

“Pat is our best option in goal right now for the situation we’re in,” head coach Ben Olsen told DCUnited.com. “Pat is an extremely experienced player that can bring stability to our back line – we are very lucky to have him.”

United find themselves in a bit of a goalkeeping crisis as Steve Cronin, acquired during the offseason in exchange for Troy Perkins, fractured his wrist in training last week and will be out approximately eight to 10 weeks. Youngster Bill Hamid is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and United weren't keen on rushing the former academy player back into the net.

According to a D.C. United spokesman, there are no current plans to invite other 'keepers into camp, and Onstad will immediately begin training with the first team out in California. The length of his return isn’t yet known either.

Onstad, who won two MLS Cups with the Houston Dynamo, originally announced his retirement in December in order to accepte a position as an assistant on Olsen’s staff. Out of contract after the 2010 season, Onstad passed through both stages of December's Re-Entry Draft unselected and is free to sign with a new club.