MLS Notes: McBride has shoulder surgery, Harris traded to Dallas and more (UPDATED)

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The Chicago Fire is considered one of the deepest teams in Major League Soccer and will now have that depth tested as the Easter Conference power is forced to deal with the loss of star striker Brian McBride.

McBride is set to miss four to six weeks three to four months after undergoing shoulder surgery. Second-year forward Patrick Nyarko is expected to pick up the slack in McBride's absence. (UPDATE- McBride's initial prognosis was four to six weeks but the Fire announced on Friday evening that the damage to McBride's shoulder was worse than first thought.)

McBride leads the Fire in goals scored with six. He may now be out of action until September.

Here are some other MLS news items heading into the weekend:

Chivas deals Harris to Dallas

Just three weeks after unloading Alecko Eskandarian to Los Angeles, Chivas USA dispatched another forward, sending Atiba Harris to FC Dallas for midfielder Marcelo Saragosa.

Harris started 13 matches for Chivas USA, providing two goals and two assists. Saragosa has started in 44 games since joining FC Dallas in 2006.

Mendes out for season after surgery

Red Bulls defender Carlos Mendes is out for the season after undergoing hip surgery. SBI reported three weeks ago that Mendes was done for the year, but the team didn't make the announcement until after Mendes had the surgery. He started 11 games for the Red Bulls this season before suffering a torn labrum in his hip.

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Think the Fire can get by without McBride? Who do you think got the better of the Harris-Saragosa trade? Could things get any worse for the Red Bulls?

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