Unlucky Armas to miss event again

He blew out his knee last October and was left off the roster again.
CHICAGO (AP) -- To call Chris Armas unlucky doesn't come close to describing how cruel fate has been.
Twice already he's been weeks away from representing the United States in soccer's biggest international events, only to get hurt. Now, as the U.S. team prepares for what is likely Armas' last chance at a World Cup, he's recovering from an injury that will probably leave him on the sidelines once again.
"It hurts right now, not getting named to the team. It's disappointing. But I'm realistic with it, and I think it was a fair decision," said Armas, an alternate to the 23-man squad.
"I think every player has certain goals and that's one of them. I want to go to a World Cup with all my heart," he added. "I think I'll always wonder, you know? If I'm being honest. But I know it wouldn't be for a lack of ability as a player. It'd be for some other reason. I'd know why it didn't happen."
Had spot locked up
Seven months ago, Armas would have been a lock to be among the 23 players gathering Wednesday in Cary, N.C., for the start of the U.S. team's World Cup training camp. The midfielder has been a mainstay on the national team since 2000, shoring up the defense and helping the Americans qualify for two World Cups. Though not a big talker, his unshakably positive personality has been a key to the improving team's chemistry, too.
In Major League Soccer, he's led the Chicago Fire to a championship and three U.S. Open Cup titles, and has been the team captain since 2003.
But in the Fire's playoff opener Oct. 21, Armas tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. With the World Cup beginning June 9 in Germany, he knew his chances of making the initial roster were slim.
"It's one of those things where you don't wish it on anyone. When it happens to someone like Chris, it just gets you in the pit of the stomach," Fire coach Dave Sarachan said. "But if there's a guy that can come back, it's Chris Armas."
He has, after all, had some practice at this.
Also missed Olympics
He missed the Sydney Olympics after spraining his left knee in August 2000. Four years ago, 11 days before Armas was to leave with the U.S. team for South Korea, he blew out his right knee in an exhibition against Uruguay at Washington's RFK Stadium.
A month after surgery to repair his ACL and his medial meniscus, Armas landed back in the hospital with a staph infection. He had a catheter in his arm for a month to deliver the antibiotics, and needed a second operation to clean out the infection.
He lost 15 pounds -- nearly 10 percent of his weight -- and the muscle tone in his right leg diminished.
Eleven months later, though, Armas was on the field for the Fire's 2003 season opener. He also was part of the U.S. team for the FIFA Confederations Cup, serving as captain for the game against Cameroon.
He played in three World Cup qualifiers in 2004 and two more last year. When the Americans beat Mexico on Sept. 3 to clinch their trip to in Germany, Armas not only started, he played all 90 minutes.
Two months later, on Nov. 2, he was having surgery to repair his left ACL.
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