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          Sporting KC loses star midfielder Felipe Gutierrez for 2-3 months

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          Sporting KC 1-0 D.C. United: Gutierrez strikes early - Via MLS (1:59)

          Felipe Gutierrez's goal inside three minutes proved decisive as Sporting Kansas City held off D.C. United at home. (1:59)

          • ESPN staffMay 1, 2018, 04:35 PM ET

          Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Gutierrez will miss the next two to three months after having sports hernia surgery on Tuesday.

          Gutierrez, 27, signed with Sporting KC as a designated player in February and scored five goals in his first five MLS games. He was named the league's Player of the Month in March.

          But since picking up an injury against D.C. United on March 31, the Chile international has only made one substitute appearance.

          Yohan Croizet appears set to retain his starting spot in place of Gutierrez for SKC, which sits atop the Western Conference table with five wins from nine games.