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Dike, Richards tear knee ligaments

MLS Headlines

Portland Timbers' Bright Dike, left, drives toward the goal as Seattle Sounders' Adam Johansson, right, defends, in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Portland Timbers forward Bright Dike will miss a significant part of the Major League Soccer season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The 26-year-old was injured in Tuesday's preseason match against Seattle. The Timbers said Friday that he will have surgery Monday.

Dike, who made his debut for Nigeria in a November exhibition against Venezuela, scored five goals in 12 MLS games last season. He missed much of the 2011 season after rupturing his right Achilles' tendon that February during a preseason game against the Ventura County Fusion.

Timbers forward Brent Richards had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Feb. 5 to repair a torn ACL and lateral meniscus tear and is expected to be sidelined for six months. He was hurt during training Jan. 26 in Portland.

Updated February 10, 2013

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