Silva ahead of schedule with recovery

Luis #Silva,  #DCU's D.C.#United’s co-leading scorer, is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a strained hamstring and might return to active duty in time for the playoff opener Sunday, Coach Ben Olsen said Tuesday. Silva had been ruled out four to six weeks after suffering the injury Oct. 12 in Houston, a setback that figured to sideline him until the Eastern Conference finals, should United advance.

Realistically, Silva would not return, at the earliest, until the second leg of the series the following weekend. After all, he has yet to resume practicing. But the pace of his recovery has brightened the outlook.

Silva and Fabian Espindola share the team lead in goals with 11 apiece and forged an innovative partnership that has bolstered United’s attack since August. In Silva’s absence, Espindola has paired with Johnson, an adequate but less fluid mix. In the two matches Silva has missed, Johnson posted a goal and assist against Chicago and Espindola scored a late equalizer at Montreal on Saturday.

The two-game conference finals would not begin until Nov. 22 or 23. (MLS will recognize the official FIFA period for international competition and not schedule any games Nov. 15-16.)