Coach says Union may be recruiting

After releasing starting defender David Myrie on Tuesday, Union team manager Peter Nowak indicated that the team could be bringing in reinforcements.

According to Nowak, the Union soon could sign Cristian Arrieta, a 30-year-old defender formerly with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues' First Division.

In addition, Nowak suggested that Danny Szetela is another "trialist" whom the team is considering. A trialist is someone who is trying out for the team but has not signed a contract. Szetela, 24, is a midfielder who participated in nine games last season for D.C. United.

As for the brief stay of Myrie, 21, who started in last week's 2-0 loss at Seattle, Nowak said he thought he could improve the team with other potential moves.

"We believe we gave Dave enough time to establish himself," Nowak said.

Besides Myrie, the Union must replace another defender because Toni Stahl has to sit out the home opener after receiving two yellow cards and a subsequent red-card ejection against Seattle. The Union's home opener will be April 10 against D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field.

Stahl took down Freddie Ljungberg in the 23d minute, and later received his second yellow for kneeing Fredy Montero in the back in the 41st minute.

Stahl says the second card was warranted.

"That was a cardable foul," Stahl said Wednesday.

Regarding the first one on Ljungberg, Stahl hedged.

"Everything happened so fast I kind of don't remember," he said. "I got up and went back on defense and didn't really have time to react on what happened or look back, and had to take the card and accept the fact that I got carded."

Stahl said he hadn't looked at a tape of the incident.