A tough season just got a bit tougher for Columbus Crew SC.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter told reporters on Monday morning that center back Gaston Sauro was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a left knee injury this past weekend. Sauro tore the posterior cruciate ligament in the 31st minute of Crew SC's scoreless draw with Toronto FC on Saturday, and midfielder Rodrigo Saravia was substituted in for the hurt Argentine four minutes later.

Sauro, 26, will not need an operation to repair the damage.

“It’s not the best news,” Berhalter said, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. “I think he’ll be back, but we’ll plan on a good four or five months here. That’s life. Every team goes through something like this. It’s unfortunate, but it’s our sport.”

Sauro has started seven of the eight games he has appeared in this season for Columbus. He helped the club reach the MLS Cup Final last year after signing from FC Basel in early August.

Crew SC currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-4-5 record.