CHICAGO FIRE Forward Hristo Stoitchkov underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee (Jan. 9) in a procedure the team’s physician, Dr. Preston Wolin, described as “extremely successful.” Stoitchkov, who turns 35 next month, is expected to be out three to four weeks and is scheduled to participate in the Fire’s first training session of 2001 on Feb. 6. LOS ANGELES GALAXY Defender Danny Califf underwent successful surgery (Jan. 11) to repair a broken nose at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, Calif. Califf, who was released following the surgery, is expected to need six to eight weeks to fully recover. His availability for the upcoming 2000 Football Confederation Champions Cup is listed as day-to-day. TAMPA BAY MUTINY Defensive midfielder Josh Keller will undergo surgery to repair a torn adductor on Jan. 19 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. Mutiny head trainer Holly Karol said that Keller, 25, should be out about three weeks total; it is hoped he will begin running in two weeks following the surgery, then be ready for “full go” by the end of the third week. Karol would expect Keller to be ready to come back by mid-February barring unforeseen difficulties. Mutiny midfielders Dominic Kinnear and Kevin Anderson are also out of the preseason mix due to abdominal surgeries. Kinnear, who had surgery in November, has begun jogging and light workouts, while Anderson has reported to Tampa and is 10 days away from starting his rehab program. Anderson underwent surgery in late December. Both players will miss the Celtic match Jan. 19, but could be ready for the start of the season April 7 at Columbus. Defender Mark Schulte, a 2000 SuperDraft pick from the University of Dayton, was sent back home to Brecksville, Ohio, this week to recover from hernia surgery. Schulte is expected to miss two to four weeks before returning to Tampa.