Galaxy's Cronin Has Broken Hand

Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin has a broken hand and will miss the next 4-6 weeks, according to 100 Percent Soccer's Nick Green. The injury occurred last weekend during the first half of the Galaxy's 2-2 tie with the New England Revolution on a play where Cronin came out to punch away a Khano Smith cross. Instead of making contact with the ball, Cronin's hands inadvertently struck the face of Taylor Twellman, leaving the Revs star bloodied but unfazed as he celebrated scoring a goal on the play.

With Cronin out of the picture for the next month, Los Angeles will turn to rookie Josh Wicks to man the pipes while the Galaxy try to make up ground in the playoff race. Wicks replaced Cronin over the weekend at halftime, making his official regular season debut with the club in the process. The former Portland Timbers standout made three saves during his 45 minutes, but did give up a game-tying goal from Shalrie Joseph.
Wicks, 24, was named 2007 USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year after posting a 0.60 GAA and 14 shutouts. At the start of the season, he was planned to be the club's backup, but quickly secured the starting job after an injury to Bayard Elfvin. The Galaxy signed him to a contract in the pre-season after he impressed then-Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit during the club's tour of Hawaii and Asia earlier this year.