Chivas loses Razov
All season long Chivas USA’s bench has proved to be the difference between a team that is trying to clinch the Western Conference title and a team that’s fighting to clinch a playoff spot.
They have dealt with injuries, suspensions and international call-ups without skipping a beat.
But, then again, they haven’t had an injury like this.
Chivas USA Coach Preki said Saturday that forward Ante Razov will sit out four to six weeks. Razov, an MLS original who has scored 109 goals in his career, was having one of his best seasons at age 35 up until Thursday, when he was injured coming off the bench in the 70th minute of a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas.
Razov, who has been ruled out for today’s game against Colorado because of a left knee sprain, had been a part of 19 of the team’s 45 goals with 11 goals and eight assists.
Razov had an MRI exam Friday, but results won’t be known until team physician Michael Gerhardt examines the scans. But an early prognosis given to the coach Friday night suggests that Razov could sit out four to six weeks, maybe less, Preki said.
“We can’t really predict,” Preki said. “It depends on the individual.” Some teammates, however, are bracing for the worst and are expecting Razov to sit out the remainder of the season.
“It’s tough, [but] we’re figuring he’s going to be out for the rest of the year,” midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. “We have to deal with it the best we can.”
Jesse Marsch, who played with Razov in Chicago, said he had never seen Razov “so emotional” as he was after the game in Dallas.
“In a lot of ways this was Ante’s best year ever,” he said. “A lot of people said he could only play for [former coach] Bob [Bradley] . . . and to have his season end like this. . . . “
Rookie John Cunliffe, 23, and Laurent Merlin, a 23-year-old Frenchman who joined the team after trying out for the Galaxy, are the early candidates to replace Razov in the lineup. Cunliffe scored two goals a week ago against Real Salt Lake and practiced Saturday as if he’d start.
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TODAY
vs Colorado, noon, TeleFutura, FSN Prime Ticket
Site -- Home Depot Center.
Radio -- 1020 (Spanish).
Records -- Chivas 15-6-7, Colorado 8-12-8.
Record vs. Colorado -- 1-0-1.
Update -- Chivas would clinch the conference title with one of three scenarios. The easiest scenario is a win over Colorado, but it can also clinch if it loses and Houston loses Monday against Real Salt Lake. If Chivas ties then it can clinch if Houston ties or loses, but if Chivas loses it can still clinch if Houston loses.
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