U.S. FORWARD HAS SURGERY

U.S. Futsal National Team forward Steve Butcher underwent successful surgery at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio on Dec. 31, 2002 to repair a torn tendon in his little finger on his right hand. Butcher, who plays for the Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), torn the tendon during a 17:6 loss to the Kansas City Comets on Dec. 29, 2002. The North Tonawanda, N.Y. Native, who will be out of MISL action for six weeks, has scored two goals in four international appearances for the USA in 2002.