Three days ago, D.C. United interim coach Ben Olsen said the team is focusing very heavily on the U.S. Open Cup because "frankly that is the only trophy we can win this year." Unfortunately for Olsen, he will be missing one of his big guns for the first of those matches next week.
The team has announced that designated player Branko Boskovic has been called up by the Montenegran national team for two Euro 2012 qualifying matches, and will therefore miss D.C. United's September 1 U.S. Open Cup semifinal match against the Columbus Crew. Boskovic's two national team matches are on September 3 and September 7, but he will need to leave to train with his club following D.C. United's game against Chivas USA this weekend.
Boskovic will return to the club on September 11.