CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA announced today that star forward Juan Francisco Palencia will be sidelined up to six weeks with an MCL sprain in his right knee, starting with this Sunday's key Western Conference showdown versus the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium in Houston (Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. CT; TV: FSN PRIME TICKET, Fox Soccer Channel; Radio: KTNQ 1020 AM Univision Radio; Web: MLSLIVE.tv).
Palencia sustained the injury in Chivas USA's 1-0 win Wednesday night over Western Conference leader FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, in a 45th-minute collision with FC Dallas midfielder Simo Valakari. Palencia was subbed out at halftime and on Thursday underwent an MRI at Baylor Medical Center in Frisco which revealed the extent of the injury. On Friday, Palencia traveled with his teammates to Houston, where he will remain until Chivas USA's return to Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
"We are sorry to lose a player of Paco's quality at this crucial point in the season," said Chivas USA Head Coach Bob Bradley. "But, knowing Paco, and his workrate and determination, I can assure you he will do everything he can to get himself back on the field as soon as possible, with the hopes of helping our team as we push toward the playoffs."
A two-time World Cup player and 10-year veteran of the Mexican first division, 'Paco' Palencia joined Chivas USA on August 19, 2005, from sister club Chivas de Guadalajara. After notching three goals and one assist in just nine appearances in 2005, the bilingual Palencia has played 23 games for Chivas USA in 2006 (starting 22), logging 1,914 minutes and registering four goals and four assists, while regularly serving as the team's captain. Prior to joining Chivas USA, Palencia played for Mexican clubs Chivas de Guadalajara (2002-2005) and Cruz Azul (1994-2001), as well as Spanish side Espanyol of Barcelona (2001-2002).
Chivas USA, Major League Soccer's Mexican-owned, Los Angeles-based franchise, is currently racing towards the playoffs with just five games remaining in the 2006 MLS season. This Sunday, September 17, Chivas USA visits the Houston Dynamo in a crucial Western Conference matchup (Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. CT; TV: FSN PRIME TICKET, Fox Soccer Channel; Radio: KTNQ 1020 AM Univision Radio; Web: MLSLIVE.tv). For more information, call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com.
