The New England Revolution are expected to lose rookie standout Clint Dempsey for up to the six weeks with a broken jaw.
Dempsey, a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, suffered the jaw injury a few weeks ago but originally it was not considered that serious.
The first-year player out of Furman University leads the Revolution with six goals, and along with one assist, his 13 points are tied for the league lead.
Dempsey was also selected as a reserve to the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, though the injury will keep him out of that game. No replacement has yet been determined.
Originally inserted into the lineup in a holding midfield role, Dempsey has impressed since put into a forward role after the injury to Taylor Twellman, maintaining his hold on the position even after Twellman's return to the lineup.
Dempsey's loss is another in a long string of injuries that have plagued the Revolution this season. Defenders Carlos Llamosa and Rusty Pierce and forward Joe-Max Moore have barely figured for the club this season, suffering long-term injuries just before or at the start of the campaign. Twellman and starting goalkeeper Adin Brown have also missed a significant portion of the season.
This story was not subject to approval by Major League Soccer or its clubs.
