Chivas USA Officials "Cautiously Optimistic" Injured Goalkeeper Brad Guzan Won't Miss Start of MLS Season
Starting Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan received confirmation from doctors Monday he had sustained a mild sprain of the MCL in his left knee, which he suffered in training the previous Monday before the team left for a pre-season tournament in Texas.
With an expected recovery time of two to four weeks, if will be touch and go whether Guzan is fit for the Chivas USA MLS opener March 30 away to Dallas, which is less than three weeks away. But Chivas USA officials said Tuesday they were "cautiously optimistic" Guzan will be fit to start.
In his absence, Chivas USA will fill the void at the goalkeeping position - Guzan was the only netminder on the roster - with 22-year-old goalkeeper Lance Parker out of Missouri State.
Parker was signed to a developmental contract Monday, a move the team will formally announce later this afternoon.
Guzan's injury occurred as he attempted to stop a shot with his legs, but the ball struck him awkwardly, causing the sprain.
Columnist Nick Green has written 100 Percent Soccer
since 2005. A
native of England, he began writing about soccer in
the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat
in the stands for one in
the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home
Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas
USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer.
Married to a long-suffering soccer widow, he has a cat
named Pele.