THE SIDELINES : Perez May Miss Soccer Finals

PARIS —  U.S. midfield soccer star Hugo Perez said today he may miss this summer’s World Cup finals in Italy after breaking a leg in a match on Saturday.

Perez, who plays for French second division side Red Star of Paris, broke a fibula after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 victory at Gueugnon.

The El Salvador-born player, a naturalized U.S. citizen, said he would be in plaster for three to six weeks but still has hopes of being fit in time for the finals.

Perez, who missed most of the qualifying games because of a groin injury, said it would be up to the U.S. federation to decide whether he should go to Italy.

The United States has qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years.