United striker and assistant coach Hristo Stoitchkov broke the leg of AU freshman midfielder Freddy Llerena10 minutes into the game, the Washington Times reported March 26.

The injury to Llerena, of Germantown, has come seconds after the Eagles had tied the game at 1-1 and the exhibition between D.C. United and American University has been suspended.

I want to offer my sincere apologies to the kid, his family and his teammates, said the Bulgarian striker, who was European Player of the Year in 1994, now in the twilight of his playing days.

Stoitchkov ran 15 yards and did [Llerenaґs] leg out of frustration, said AU coach Todd West. In the words of West Stoitchkov, 37, was upset about the tying goal and was arguing with the referee's assistant, insisting that the goal was offside.

Stoitchkov, who led Bulgaria to the semifinals of the 1994 World Cup, is known for his fiery temper, the Washington Times comments.

In his early playing days, the stocky forward, considered one of the greatest players of his generation, received a lifetime ban after a brawl during the Bulgarian Cup final, but the ban was later reduced. In seven years with Spanish giant Barcelona, he earned a record 11 red cards and once stomped on a referee's foot.

D.C. United officially acquired Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoitchkov on January 27 for a second-round pick in the 2004 Major League Soccer draft.

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