Instead, he is a nonroster player — a “trialist,” in soccer parlance — attempting to revive a decent career interrupted by a right knee injury almost 20 months ago.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament — in this case, suffered against the same New York City FC team that will visit RFK Stadium on Saturday afternoon — ended his 2015 season. Such injuries typically shelve an athlete for six to nine months. Complications sidelined Korb for the entire 2016 campaign.

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After two additional surgeries, dozens of injections, week after week of rehab work and growing doubts about whether he would play again, Korb is training with the first team in hopes of earning a contract.

United has roster space and could adjust the payroll. The question is whether he will regain form and whether the club feels the need to fill the slot with another outside back.

“I want to play again,” Korb, 29, said this week. “I didn’t do rehab for a year and half just to play in a Sunday league. I want to play, and I know I can.”

His comeback appears on track.

“He looks like he’s back,” said Coach Ben Olsen, who has monitored Korb’s progress in full workouts for three weeks. “He’s playing at a level better than I expected after that type of layoff.”

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The 2011 second-round draft pick from Akron was a full-time starter by his second season. In 2013, he started 30 of 34 matches and never left a game early. Sean Franklin’s arrival in 2014 cut into his time at right back, but he remained a versatile and reliable figure.

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Then in August 2015, with Franklin on the right wing and Korb at right back at Yankee Stadium, he was chasing the ball near the end line when a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge knocked him off-balance and left him planting his leg awkwardly.

With the 2015 campaign lost, Korb focused on returning to active duty in spring 2016. The knee never felt quite right, however.

“I would get to a certain point and I would plateau,” he said. “I couldn’t get past the pain.”

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He underwent arthroscopic surgery last March and resumed the rehab routine. Perhaps, he thought, he could get back on the field in the summer.

The underlying problem — a screw in his knee — continued to cause problems. A third operation, to remove the screw, took place last August, almost a year after the original injury.

With 2016 hopes gone as well, he looked at the calendar.

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“There were times where I didn’t think I was going to play again,” he said.

The third surgery, though, had done the trick.

“I turned the corner,” Korb said. “I think we’re all surprised it turned around so quickly.”

United had exercised the option on his contract before the 2016 season, hoping he would return at some point that year. This past winter, however, with contract options exhausted and his future in the balance, Korb would have to earn a place on the team — if he were ever healthy.

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Because Korb was out of contract, United was under no obligation to work with him. But, Olsen said, “he’s one of ours and has meant a lot to the club. Everybody has continued to guide him as if he is going to be a part of this team again.”

While United was in Florida for training camp, Korb worked with the academy team. The knee felt good. He regained strength and fitness. His movement and touch on the ball improved.

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Olsen invited him to join his former teammates for regular workouts. The coach has a soft spot for players seeking to extend their careers in the face of physical challenges; the former winger had five operations on each of his ankles during a 12-year career.

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“As a comeback kid,” Olsen said, “I love watching these guys come back with a new appreciation for the game and their occupation. Korb has that.”

Korb is grateful for the opportunity, one that might lead to a contract in Washington or a rebirth elsewhere in the league.

“I’m just happy to be playing again. Hopefully, we can figure something out. I would love to play here again. They’ve done so much for me. I would love to repay them.”

United notes: Marcelo Sarvas, the first-choice defensive midfielder, will serve a one-game suspension, levied by MLS’s disciplinary committee, for a serious foul last weekend against Philadelphia. Jared Jeffrey (three appearances, two starts) is the top replacement candidate. … Goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky, defenders Maxim Tissot and Chris Odoi-Atsem and defender-midfielder Chris Durkin were assigned to the second-division Richmond Kickers for Saturday’s home match against Louisville City FC. Forward Alhaji Kamara, designated for Richmond work this season, might end up in uniform at RFK.

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D.C. United vs. New York City FC

Where: RFK Stadium.

When: Saturday, 4 p.m.

TV: UniMas, Univision Deportes.

Records: United 1-2-1, 4 points; NYCFC 2-1-1, 7 points.

D.C. probable starters: GK Bill Hamid; Ds Nick DeLeon, Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Taylor Kemp; MFs Lloyd Sam, Jared Jeffrey, Ian Harkes, Luciano Acosta, Patrick Nyarko; F Jose Guillermo Ortiz.