United (8-9-13) is in a four-team tussle for the last two playoff berths in the Eastern Conference.

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Sarvas, who turns 35 next month, has started 26 regular season matches and entered as a sub once in his first year with United. Two of his three absences were because of suspension (a red card and yellow card accumulation). He has one goal and two assists, but his primary contributions have been grit, industry and leadership from a deep-lying position.

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The injury comes as a player with similar traits, Jared Jeffrey, is getting closer to returning after missing four matches with a concussion. He was a “neutral” player in workouts Monday and could be back in the match mix this week, Coach Ben Olsen said. The team has him listed as “questionable.”

Until Jeffrey’s injury, Sarvas, Jeffrey and Luciano Acosta formed the central midfield. Rob Vincent has covered for Jeffrey. Now with Sarvas hurt and Jeffrey uncertain, Olsen will need to choose someone to join Vincent and Acosta. Rookie Julian Buescher replaced Sarvas on Saturday and scored in the 90th minute. Nick DeLeon is always an option, but he started at right back Saturday. Sean Franklin, the full-time right back, is out several weeks with a calf injury.

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If DeLeon returns to midfield, Luke Mishu or Jalen Robinson would fill the backline void.

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“I’ve got to think about a lot,” Olsen said. “I’ve got to think about the center of the park and obviously the right-back situation. I don’t know right now the starting lineup, so we’re going to evaluate today and see what we can piece together against Columbus. Whatever it is, I think it’s a group still very capable of getting a result at home.”

United is unbeaten in seven straight at RFK and scored 16 goals in the past five home dates. A victory Wednesday coupled with a Montreal Impact loss or tie against the visiting San Jose Earthquakes would propel United into fifth place in a conference that will send six teams to the playoffs. D.C. is one point ahead of the New England Revolution, three in front of Orlando and five ahead of Columbus, a 2015 MLS Cup finalist that rekindled postseason hopes Sunday with a 2-0 home victory over the Revs.

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Aside from a new position, DeLeon had a new look Saturday: a shaved head.

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“It was just time,” the typically wild-maned veteran said. “It was a process. I went with the mohawk — that was the first step — and then here you go, the final result.”

His beard is now longer than his hair. “It’s a little uneven and all over the place,” he said, “but whatever.”

On the switch from midfield to right back, DeLeon said: “I felt comfortable. I love the outside. I have the comfort of the sideline, knowing where it is and where everyone should be. It was kind of a natural role for me but with more defending. I feel I am physical enough and smart enough to do it. I enjoyed it, actually.

“There were a couple of times when I was dribbling out of the back and probably shouldn’t have been. That’s the midfielder mentality in me. So there are some things I will need to clean up, but overall I thought I played very well.”

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Olsen’s review of DeLeon at right back?

“I thought he did well, especially for his first time putting a shift in where he had to defend against a pretty dynamic attack. There were some moments where he looked like a midfielder, but overall, the way he held the line, his understanding of when to drop and when to press were very sharp. His ability to win duels once a guy gets into his body was also pretty impressive, which we all have known. So as he gets more comfortable there defensively I think he will be even more effective.”

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Reserve center back Kofi Opare remains sidelined with a concussion. Forward Alhaji Kamara (hamstring) is fully involved in training and close to returning from a two-month layoff. …

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General Manager Dave Kasper is planning to visit Buenos Aires in late October or early November for talks with Boca Juniors regarding Acosta’s possible permanent move to United. He is on loan this year. United has the option of purchasing his contract for between $1 million and $2 million. …

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Miami FC, from the second-tier North American Soccer League, has taken interest in United forward Alvaro Saborio for a possible move this winter, sources said. Saborio, who is earning $420,000 in base salary and $535,500 overall this season, has posted four goals and three assists in 16 league matches (eight starts).

Since striker Patrick Mullins’s integration into the lineup in late July, however, the 34-year-old Costa Rican has made two substitute appearances totaling 18 minutes. He hasn’t played since Aug. 13. …