Chivas USA's Victorine out with sprained knee

Sasha Victorine has a left knee sprain, Chivas USA confirmed Tuesday after the midfielder underwent an MRI Monday evening.

The injury, which caused Victorine to be withdrawn from the loss against the Colorado Rapids after 25 minutes, will likely keep him out of action for two to four weeks. That could see the former Kansas City Wizard return for the MLS Cup final, should Chivas USA advance that far into the playoffs.

It wasn't all despair on Sunday, despite the defeat. Ante Razov and Carey Talley returned to action against the Rapids, Razov even managing a start. He put in a solid hour, while Talley scraped together 25 minutes at the end of the game in his return from a concussion.

Paulo Nagamura, who was struggling with a sprained knee, played 45 minutes against the Colorado reserves on the same day. Either the Brazilian or Talley could step in for Victorine against Houston in the final game of the regular season for Chivas.

The Goats have been blighted by injury this season, averaging six a game. Against Colorado there were eight players out, although head coach Preki decided to rest Sacha Kljestan, Claudio Suarez and Francisco Mendoza to keep them fresh for the impending playoff matches.

Chivas has already qualified for the 2008 postseason as second best in the Western conference.