U.S. Defender Oguchi ‘Gooch’ Onyewu Out 3-4 Months With Knee Injury

Near the end of last night's dramatic World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica (it was about as thrilling a 2-2 tie as you'll ever see), U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu landed awkwardly after challenging for a header. Watching at home, you had the feeling something was very, very wrong, because immediately Onyewu began signaling for the medical staff. Now we know why: Oneywu tore the patellar tendon in his left knee and will miss 3-4 months.

Onyewu's injury came a day after teammate Charlie Davies was seriously injured in a car crash. Davies is unlikely to play in next year's World Cup.

"We've had two days of tough news," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "Gooch has been a such an important part of our team."

Onyewu was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon. However, Bradley expressed confidence he would recover in time for the World Cup.

"He's young, he's healthy, our doctors are good," Bradley said. "He's someone that we're sure is going to get back and be ready to go."