D.C. United will begin the MLS season without its longest-serving player, center back Steven Birnbaum, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last week.
Birnbaum, 33, is expected to miss a few weeks, club officials confirmed Thursday.
He started the preseason opener in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 30 but did not play in the subsequent match and returned home before United played its last two friendlies.
United will begin the regular season Feb. 24 against New England at Audi Field. Birnbaum is also expected to miss trips to Portland and Cincinnati and perhaps sit out Lionel Messi’s visit to Washington with Inter Miami on March 16.