Mehdi Ballouchy will miss the remainder of the MLS season with San Jose Earthquakes with a serious knee injury.
The 29-year old Moroccan midfielder only joined the Quakes from New York Red Bull in late July but his beginning to life as a San Jose player has not gone well with news that he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament.
"The news was very disappointing," Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop said of Ballouchy who sustained the injury in Saturday's 3-3 draw with FC Dallas.
"Mehdi was just settling in with our squad and was playing very well for us. He'll be missed, but we know that he'll be back stronger than ever next season."