Injured Perez May Miss U.S. Soccer Matches

Midfielder Hugo Perez may miss the United States’ next two World Cup qualifying games, including one Sunday against Guatemala at Guatemala City, because of a severe groin strain.

Perez suffered the injury Friday night while playing for Red Star of Paris in the French second division.

U.S. Soccer Federation officials are waiting for a medical report from Paris, but Perez was quoted by the French Press Agency Saturday as saying that that he believes he will be out for at least six weeks. That also would prevent him from playing for the United States on Nov. 5 against El Salvador at St. Louis.

“I’m really worried about qualifying now,” Perez said.

Perez, who lives in San Diego, is the United States’ most effective midfielder when he plays, but that has been seldom because of injuries. He has had stress fractures in both shins. In his only other World Cup qualifying game this year, he scored the only goal in a victory last month against El Salvador.

The midfielder who has had the most success in his place, Tab Ramos, also will miss the game at Guatemala because of a mandatory one-game suspension. He received his second caution of the year against El Salvador.

With three games remaining in its North and Central America and Caribbean region, the United States is in third place behind Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago. The United States could move into a tie for second place with Trinidad and Tobago if it wins at Guatemala. Trinidad and Tobago has only one game remaining.

The first two teams will advance to next summer’s World Cup in Italy.