Andrew Dykstra's role as D.C. United's No. 1 is, for the moment, over.
Dykstra, who has been the regular backup to Bill Hamid in goal for D.C. for several seasons, entered the season as the starting goalkeeper with Hamid recovering from a knee injury, but is now sidelined an extended period himself.
Dykstra will have microdiscectomy surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back later this week and is expected to miss 10-12 weeks, the team announced Thursday. He started both of United's CONCACAF Champions League matches this season as well as the MLS season opener against the LA Galaxy.
Dykstra's injury means before Hamid will be ready to return to action, Travis Worra or newcomer Charlie Horton will most likely be the starter. Worra started the last game for D.C., a 0-0 draw on the road against the New England Revolution. It was his first start and second career MLS appearance. Horton, meanwhile, officially joined the team earlier this month after spending several years as a professional in England.
D.C. will play their 2016 MLS regular season home opener on Sunday against the Colorado Rapids (5 pm ET, ESPN2).
