In our weekly peek around the league: the Revs lose a pair, FC Dallas welcomes back a pair and Toronto FC runs the rule over a pair.

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It's only one week into the Major League Soccer season, but the New England Revolution have been hit by the injury bug. Perhaps the biggest blow of the early season, star forward Taylor Twellman tore the meniscus muscle in his right knee during a training session in the lead-up to their opening day win over Houston. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday and the injury is expected to see the Revolution forward miss the next six weeks.

Also in Foxboro, Steve Ralston dislocated his left shoulder in the victory over Houston. Ralston is scheduled for further tests, but could miss a few weeks.

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In Los Angeles, forward Carlos Ruiz had surgery on his torn right meniscus in his knee. Ruiz, suffering a similar injury to Twellman, is expected to return in mid-May. The Galaxy, who lost 4-0 to Colorado on Saturday, will have to look elsewhere for goal production until then.

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Left defender Chase Hilgenbrinck now finds himself in New England. The former Clemson defender had spent some time with Chilean club Nubilense, but returned to the United States in hopes of playing for Colorado. After the Rapids acquired Jose Burciaga Jr. and Tim Ward in the offseason, there was no room for Hilgenbrinck on the roster.

Instead, Steve Nicol gave him a call. The Revolution signed him only two days before the start of the season and he appeared on the bench during the club's victory over Houston. "In Chile, it's a technical game," Hilgenbrinck told MLSNet. "Here, the players are bigger, faster, and stronger. It's a faster game. It's more tactical with more one and two touch passing. There's a lot of the European tradition here."

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FC Dallas will add some reinforcements to their squad on Sunday when they face rivals Houston. Arturo Alvarez and Drew Moor both return to the squad after being suspended for the club's first match after being sent off in last year's Western Conference semifinals. What team did Alvarez and Moor get sent off against? The Houston Dynamo.

Both players missed the draw against Chivas USA to open the season, but are itching to get their 2008 campaign started on the right foot. "I wish I would have been there to help the team out any way I could," Alvarez said to MLSNet. "We were a little unfortunate not to get the win since they tied us in the final minutes."

"Houston is a game that means a lot to me. I got the red card against them there last year and am looking forward to it."

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Toronto FC exec Mo Johnston is once again looking at European-based players to fill the club's holes in attack.

TFC is expected to sign former France international Laurent Robert. His current club, Derby County, has already clinched relegation to the Championship and may part ways with the veteran, who is a legitimate threat on free kicks.

Midfielder Rohan Ricketts has also been training with the club this week. The Barnsley player could give the Canada-based club an extra attacking boost.

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Having failed to impress Columbus in a trial, journeyman English forward Michael Ricketts is now auditioning for San Jose.