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Jonathan Newton

After missing the first four matches of the MLS season, D.C. United’s <a href="https://www.dcunited.com/players/russell-canouse/" target=_blank>Russell Canouse</a> seemed set to make his 2024 debut last month. A preseason ankle injury had healed, and his fitness level was returning to prime form.

But Canouse’s health was far from perfect. Since being diagnosed with <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353326" target=_blank>ulcerative colitis</a> in 2021, he had dealt with the pain and complications of the intestinal disease.

“It’s never been an issue over the past three years for me to be able to perform, and then it got to a point where I was worried about it, for sure,” Canouse, United’s second-longest tenured player and a regular starter, said Wednesday.

His body was not absorbing nutrients, and his weight was dropping. Following guidance from his gastroenterologist and United’s medical staff, Canouse underwent surgery March 22. While the team was on the way to St. Louis, the 28-year-old midfielder was at a Fairfax hospital having his colon removed.

He will undergo additional procedures in May and July. Though Canouse said he could be back in full team training by late summer or early fall, United is planning to place him on the season-ending injury list, which affords not only roster and salary cap relief for the team but time for Canouse to continue recovering.

“It goes from Russ the player to Russ the human,” said Ally Mackay, United’s general manager and chief soccer officer. “I don’t want him thinking he has to help us this year. This is bigger than soccer. This is a father’s health, a husband’s health.”

After Canouse recovered from the ankle ailment, the team was vague about his status, saying he was unavailable because of illness. In his first interview since the surgery, Canouse revealed why he has remained sidelined.

“Coming home from training camp [in Saudi Arabia], I had fatigue that I actually thought was jet lag,” he said. “And then from there, it worsened, and I struggled with some weight loss and other issues that I had not dealt with the prior three years when I was managing it.”

While his ankle improved, his general health deteriorated. He talked with his doctor about adjusting his medication and giving his body time to recover.

“The goal was to get a full week of training in before the St. Louis game,” he said. “I wasn’t in a good spot [with his health], but I kept declining to a point that it was concerning. It was like, ‘Hey, this isn’t getting better.’ Nothing was really working.”

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. It affects the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and the rectum.

According to the <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/ulcerative-colitis/definition-facts#:~:text=How%20common%20is%20ulcerative%20colitis,United%20States%20have%20ulcerative%20colitis." target=_blank>National Institutes of Health</a>, ulcerative colitis affects between 600,000 and 900,000 Americans and commonly develops in people age 15 to 30.

Having already discussed the possibility of surgery with his doctor, Canouse was prepared for taking a major step.

“It was a good solution in the long run with essentially eliminating my disease in terms of removing the part of my body that was causing the inflammation,” he said.

After being inactive for about three weeks post-surgery, Canouse is again running, lifting weights and doing work with the ball.

“I still can get out there, be involved with the team,” he said. “All of that has really been helpful in the process.”

Canouse will take a two-week pause after the second surgery and a week off after the third. He said he has no doubt he will be able to resume his career.

“It’s absolutely not over. If anything, I’ll be in a healthier spot,” he said. “Now all of a sudden, I can eat [certain] foods and my recovery levels will be better. They’re already better. So while I’m disappointed about being out, I’m super excited this will be able to actually help my career in a positive fashion.”

Canouse received insight and encouragement from <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11789/13087619/graeme-shinnie-on-living-with-crohn-s-at-one-stage-i-thought-my-career-was-gone" target="_blank">Graeme Shinnie</a>, captain of Scottish club Aberdeen FC. Shinnie, 32, has <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/crohns-disease" target="_blank">Crohn’s disease</a>, which is similar to ulcerative colitis. Thirteen years ago, he underwent surgery to remove part of his colon and bowel.

“I’ve spoken to athletes and non-athletes, and they’ve all had positive feedback about getting their life back,” Canouse said.

Canouse signed with United midway through the 2017 season after launching his career with German club Hoffenheim. The Lancaster, Pa., native has appeared in 137 MLS regular season matches, starting 129 and posting five goals and six assists. Last year Canouse set personal records for games played (27) and starts (27). Only captain Steven Birnbaum (11th season) has served longer on this D.C. squad.

Without Canouse, Matti Peltola, 21, and Jackson Hopkins, 19, have filled in for United (2-3-4).

“When you don’t really know why things aren’t working, it can be a scary process, but now we’ve got some answers,” Canouse said. “We have a good plan. I am definitely in a much better spot now than first finding out and going through that difficult time.”

Inducted into the Virginia DC Soccer Hall of Fame, 2013

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American University, BA in print journalism, 1988

Steven Goff has covered soccer for The Washington Post since the early 1990s. His beats include D.C. United, MLS and the U.S. national teams. He has been on assignment at every men's World Cup since 1994, plus six Women's World Cups for 14 overall.

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D.C. United's Russell Canouse details ulcerative colitis diagnosis, surgery

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