By Andrew Dixon - MIAMI, FL (Jul 3, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- I was slightly amused a few weeks ago to see FIFA General Secretary Sepp Blatter aka Grand Poobah renew his call for the MLS to play its season from fall to spring as the rest of the world does.
While I stand by the reasons why he was ultimately wrong on this issue, I can name 15 people who wouldn't mind so much if the league switched schedules: MLS coaches. More specifically, MLS coaches who lose players to international tournaments. Given the thin roster depth of most MLS squads, the summer months are arguably where MLS coaches earn their paychecks. They choose their game day rosters for matches in MLS, the US Open Cup, Superliga and CONCACAF Champions League Qualifying around international call-ups and friendlies.
This year's edition of the Gold Cup will be no exception, as 13 teams teams will be losing players. For some, the ride will be short. Haiti, for example, hasn't progressed pass the group stage in recent memory. For teams like the US and Canada, who are expecting to make deep runs into this tournament, some players could be out for significant time. However, that is not the only consideration. The amount of players that will be missing for specific teams and the roles they play and where those teams are in the standings would also have to be examined to gage just how much of an impact the Gold Cup will have.
DC United
Players Called Up:
Santino Quaranta (USA)
Dejan Jakovic (CAN)
Upcoming matches:
Columbus
Harrisburg City Islanders (Open Cup)
Colorado
San Jose
Santino Quaranta was one of the few bright spots in last year's disappointing campaign, and his continued that play that has earned a return to the US. With so much attention paid the DC Magic Triangle, Quaranta has been one to benefit. Meanwhile, Jakovic has been an automatic starter for DC this season after arriving from Red Star Belgrade. After the inconsistent, gelatin-like backline for United in 2008, Jakovic has been a welcome rock solid addition.
The 1-2 matchup Saturdany with Columbus is the biggest game during the Gold Cup stretch, and there is a midweek US Open Cup match on the 7th. But with no SuperLiga to worry about DC, despite the losses should weather them and will have their players back before their Champions League opener on the 28th.
Columbus Crew
Players Called Up:
Chad Marshall (USA)
Robbie Rogers (USA)
Upcoming matches:
DC United
at Chicago
at Salt Lake
Toronto
Columbus' momentum could take a serious hit over the next few weeks. Just as they have shaken off their early season struggles to pull within a point of DC at the top of the East they're set to lose two members of last year's MLS Best XI, including last year's Defender of the Year.
The Crew have challenging matches ahead of them, despite having been bounced from the US Open Cup. The quality of the players that they are losing and the length of time for which they might lose them is pretty significant.
Toronto FC
Players Called Up:
Sam Cronin (USA)
Upcoming matches:
San Jose
Houston
Columbus
Cronin is enjoying a fine rookie season in Toronto's midfield. But what's significant for Toronto FC is who they won't losing to the Gold Cup. Dwayne DeRosario, Jim Brennan, Amado Guevara and Marvell Wynne all either declined or were left off their respective country's Gold Cup roster.
The two biggest matches Cronin will miss is against league leader Houston and possibly a big-time matchup against Columbus on the 25th whom TFC is one point behind. With most Toronto's lineup intact, they have a legit shot at a run at the top spot.
Chicago Fire
Players Called Up:
Logan Pause (USA)
Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica)
Upcoming matches:
at Colorado
Columbus
Seattle
Chicago won't be hit too hard during the Gold Cup. The USA's Logan Pause has taken on a bigger role for Chicago with the retirement of Chris Armas and now in his sixth season, has become and automatic starter. Gonzalo Segares has appeared in 9 of 14 matches for the Fire and his play over the past couple of seasons have been rewarded by call ups for WC Qualifying as as the Gold Cup.
Now out of the US Open Cup, their biggest match up is on the 11th against Columbus. Two road games, Saturday in Colorado and on the 25th against Seattle will require results, but they should have the bulk of their first 11 to choose from for the next month. Highly important as they attempt to keep pace in a competitive Eastern Conference.
KC Wizards
Players Called Up:
Jimmy Conrad (USA)
Davy Arnaud (USA)
Roger Espinoza (Honduras)
Upcoming matches:
Houston Dynamo
@ NE Revolution
LA Galaxy
With KC hanging on in the East (5th place but only 4 points back of DC for first), they lose the heart and soul of their team in Jimmy Conrad along with regular Davy Arnaud. Not ideal, but also not as bad as it looks. Their match-up against Houston would spell, trouble but the Dynamo will also be shorthanded. The Revolution are struggling and will be without Shalrie Joseph. That leaves the Galaxy. KC could actually come out of this period unscathed.
NE Revolution
Players Called Up:
Shalrie Joseph (Grenada)
Jay Heaps (USA)
Upcoming matches:
@ LA Galaxy
KC Wizards
Chivas USA
@ Houston
Steve Nichol, talking about Jay Heaps but is applicable to Shalrie Joseph (who's filled in at forward at times) as well: "It's a double-edged sword," Nicol said. "It's fantastic for him, but if there was possibly a worst time for it, then it's now. It's obviously well deserved. On the other side of the coin, the timing couldn't be any worse for us."
Red Bull NY
Players Called Up:
Alfredo Pacheco (SLV)
Dane Richards (JAM)
At this point, does it matter who they lose?
Houston Dynamo
Players Called Up:
Brian Ching (USA)
Stuart Holden (USA)
André Hainault (CAN)
Ricardo Clark (if needed - USA)
Upcoming matches:
KC
Charleston (US Open Cup)
Seattle TFC
NE Revolution
While Holden's call up was a given especially with his play since the departure of DeRosario, you have to think that had Ching been healthy and on the Confed Cup side rather than the Gold Cup, that the league leaders wouldn't have lose two of their most influential players at the same time. Hainault has also contributed some meaningful playing time, starting in 8 matches.
Houston has a heavy schedule that has already begun with a US Open Cup win on Wednesday in Austin. The biggest match of the bunch will be the game at Seattle a week from Saturday which could tighten things at the top in the West. They also have a US Open Cup match on the 7th. They could conceivably see themselves behind Chivas USA by the time they get Ching and Holden back.
Chivas USA
Players Called Up:
Kevin Harmse (USA)
Jonathan Bornstein (if needed - USA)
Upcoming matches:
LA Galaxy
@ Revolution
Only a point back of Houston in the West, they get Jonathan Bornstein back from Confed Cup play and lose only Keven Harmse whom they just acquired from Toronto. As long as US coach Bob Bradley leaves Bornstein with Chivas USA, they should be fine.
What's more, they have the least amount of matches to play, two, in that stretch. Both are against teams they should beat despite one of the being the derby match. While they might not make a significant move in the standings, they can take advantage of the rest in July as well as the All-Star break. Long term, probably best situated out of everyone affected.
Seattle Sounders
Players Called Up:
Tyrone Marshall (JAM)
Brad Evans (USA)
Upcoming matches:
Wizards
Dynamo
Chelsea
Fire
Seattle is just three points out of first and third overall in the League. Aside from three regular season matchups they have a big time exhibition when Chelsea FC comes to town. However, all of their games in this stretch will be at home and Houston will be shorthanded when they visit Qwest Field.
Evans has earned his first US call up in the midst of a great year in Seattle, an excellent response to being left unprotected in the expansion draft. Tyrone Marshall is the very definition of veteran, having been a key contributor for the Miami Fusion back in the day. Still, Seattle will be in a decent position to make a run.
Colorado Rapids
Players Called Up:
Colin Clark (USA)
Steward Ceus (HAI)
Omar Cummings (JAM)
Conor Casey (if needed - USA)
Upcoming matches:
Chicago
FC Dallas
@ DC United
RBNY
The losses of Clark and Cummings, second and third on this team in goal scoring, are significant, especially as the Rapids won only once in June. Cummings is enjoying his best season having already established and tied his career high in assists and goals, respectively. Clark has also been influential as a forward and Colorado will need others to step up to assist the returning Connor Casey.
The Rapids play three out of four at home, but the away match is at DC. Chicago will provide the toughest test at home but the Rapids need wins and it's tough time to lose important players.
Real Salt Lake
Players Called Up:
Kyle Beckerman (USA)
Willi Johnson (CAN)
Jean Alexandre (HAI)
Upcoming matches:
San Jose
Club America (friendly)
Crew
FC Dallas
This could have been worse as Andy Williams was also called up but pulled out of Jamiaca's squad due to family commitments. But Beckerman and Johnson are significant parts of RSL's midfield and have been automatic starters for RSL all season. Williams has only started once all season but will be called upon to help fill in the gaps and is more than capable of providing opportunities for Findley and combining with Clint Mathis.
The biggest game of the Gold Cup stretch is at Columbus on the 18th, while Club America comes to town the week before for a friendly. RSL has only won two out of their last 11 matches and can't afford too many more slip-ups.
LA Galaxy
Players Called Up:
Donovan Rickets GK (JAM)
Upcoming matches:
Revolution
@ Chivas USA
RBNY
AC Milan (friendly)
KC Wizards
The most important aspect of this stretch is not who's leaving, though Ricketts is having a great season. 5th in Goals Against Average and three shutouts on a three win team, Ricketts has been what was expected given his international experience.
It's who's coming for LA that could help turn those many ties into the wins they desperately need to start making a run at the playoffs. Landon Donovan still leads the team in goals despite his Confederations Cup absence, Alecko Eskandian is switching locker rooms as he was signed this week from Chivas USA and some guy who plays for AC Milan that was rumored to play for the Galaxy in the past named David something is back.
To be honest, though the next month is important not so much because of the Gold Cup but because of Shaq-Kobe II plays out.
FC Dallas
Players Called Up:
Kenny Cooper
Upcoming matches:
RBNY
W. Texas Shockers (friendly)
CSD Communicaciones (friendly)
Rapids
RSL
Cooper's fans will finally get what they've been clamoring for: a chance their man to make his statement on the national team but FC Dallas don't have anyone to supplant his scoring touch. His seven goals lead the team and Drew Moor, the right back, is second with three. If anyone finds a scoring touch laying around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, please return it to Jeff Cunningham.
Another team that needs wins now (two wins out of their last ten). Two of three league matches are against teams they're chasing out West. They'll need some goal scoring help if they're going to make up any ground.
Andrew Dixon is a soccer writer based in Miami and a weekly columnist for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at: golnoir@golnoir.net
