Califf Facing Surgery on His Left Knee

Galaxy and U.S. national team defender Danny Califf will undergo surgery on his left knee today after suffering a torn cartilage in the team’s 1-0 victory over the Fire in a Major League Soccer game at Chicago on Sunday.

Califf left at halftime and did not travel with the the team for its two-day visit to the Colorado ranch of team owner Philip Anschutz this week.

Califf, 24, suffered a sprained ligament in his right knee while playing against the Columbus Crew at the Home Depot Center on April 24 and sat out seven games.

He did not have surgery on that injury. He returned June 19 in the Galaxy’s 2-1 loss against the New York/New Jersey MetroStars at Giants Stadium. Sunday’s game was only his third since returning from the injury.

Paring Down

Forward Shannon MacMillan and goalkeeper Siri Mullinix were cut as the U.S. women’s team reduced its roster to 20 in preparation for the Olympics.

MacMillan and Mullinix were part of the U.S. team that finished third last year in the women’s World Cup. Mullinix replaced Briana Scurry as the U.S. starter after the 2000 Olympics but lost her job to Scurry in 2003.

Also released were goalkeeper Jenni Branam; defenders Kylie Bivens, Danielle Slaton and Amy LePeilbet; midfielders Lori Lindsey, Leslie Osborne and Lori Chalupny; and forward Christie Welsh.

Coach April Heinrichs planned to make her final cuts today to reach the 18-player limit.

U.S. Summons Howard

Goalkeeper Tim Howard of Manchester United in the English Premier League was among 18 players selected for the U.S. men’s roster for a July 11 exhibition game against Poland at Chicago.

Three other European-based players were selected for the game, the last for the U.S. team before the start of the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying: forward Brian McBride and defender Carlos Bocanegra of England’s Fulham and defender Steve Cherundolo of Germany’s Hannover 96.

Midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Chris Armas were selected from the Chicago Fire, which plays New England as part of the doubleheader July 11. Landon Donovan of the San Jose Earthquakes also was selected.

The U.S. beat Poland, 1-0, in an exhibition game March 31 at Plock, Poland.

The Americans open the semifinals of World Cup qualifying at Jamaica on Aug. 18.

Rapids Win

Nat Borchers tied the score in the 78th minute and set up Jordan Cila for the game-winning goal in the 89th minute to help lift the Colorado Rapids over the MetroStars, 3-2, at East Rutherford, N.J.

Cila had two goals. Eddie Gaven and Sergio Galvan Rey scored for the MetroStars.

*

Times staff writer Grahame L. Jones contributed to this report.