The Kansas City Wizards, already without injured defenders Sean Bowers, Steve Pittman, and Scott Uderitz, suffered another blow when Diego Gutierrez injured his left knee in a pre-season game against the Columbus Crew March 18.
The injury is believed to be a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament; and Gutierrez will be examined in Kansas City this evening.
The injury could sideline the former Rockhurst College star for the entire 1997 season, and the club has placed him on indefinite injured reserve.
Gutierrez started 24 games in 1997, notching five assists.
“This is a devastating blow for our ambitions,” said Wizards coach Ron Newman. “He is one of our up-and-coming young players. It is our hope that he will be able to bounce back before the season’s end. He has shown much promise and is a potential all-star.