The Los Angeles Galaxy will be without the services of defender Chris Albright for four to six weeks, as the club announced Friday that the U.S. international suffered a grade three medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain Wednesday night.
A magnetic resonance imaging test was used on Thursday to determine the extent of the injury, which Albright picked up in the 67th minute of the Galaxy's 0-0 draw with the Columbus Crew at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday. On the play, Crew backup goalkeeper Bill Gaudette - who had replaced starter Jon Busch after he suffered a knee injury of his own just before halftime - slid into Albright near the end line after the attack-minded defender had cut a pass towards the Crew goal.
Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton was not happy about the incident, which went unpunished by the match officials.
"On a very personal level, we are saddened for Chris, who has been playing well for both club and country of late, as he has suffered an injury needlessly on what was a late and ultimately dangerous tackle," he said in a statement on Friday. "We have the utmost confidence in our medical staff to work with him towards a full and speedy recovery."
Albright had started every game so far this season for the Galaxy and had amassed 657 minutes in eight appearances. The 26-year-old defender had recorded one assist this season, his seventh in MLS. A product of the University of Virginia, Albright entered the league as a forward for D.C. United before finding a new home in the back line at the Galaxy.
The Galaxy will be in action on Saturday in the second edition of the Honda Super Clasico against rivals Chivas USA. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. PT kickoff at The Home Depot Center. The game will be televised nationally on HDNet and the Direct Kick package.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
