The cutting back of MLS rosters this season from 28 to 24 has reduced the options available to a coach on the training field. With most clubs carrying three goalkeepers, 11-versus-11 practice matches are virtually impossible, even with a fully fit squad. Match-day rosters have felt the effect, too, with a number of clubs unable to fill their benches due to injuries and suspensions.
That said, one interesting feature of the season so far has been the impressive productivity several teams have received from the bench, which may help explain why minutes 76-90 have generated 45 goals, making it the most productive period of games in 2009.
D.C. United has rotated a number of its veterans through the role of second-half impact player, while in Los Angeles, Bryan Jordan has been so good as a sub that it has been suggested his effectiveness would be diminished were he to become a regular starter.
Last weekend saw a number of cameos impose major influences on games. Brek Shea looked sharp (if a little raw) for FC Dallas, while Chris Rolfe continued to show how easily he can adapt to the pace of a game with a goal-scoring contribution for Chicago.
Meanwhile, in New York a quartet of replacements were responsible for the two key moments in the 1-1 tie between the Red Bulls and Houston. First, Corey Ashe found Chris Wondolowski with that most elusive of things this season -- an accurate cross -- before Dane Richards' header fell to John Wolyniec, who saved a point for the hosts in style.
Maintaining adequate squad depth is a constant challenge to MLS coaches, and the coming months will provide a stiff examination of resources as national-team call-ups as well as bumps, bruises and bans stretch rosters to the limit. The most successful sides will be those that can look to the bench for game-changing options, rather than players simply there to make up the numbers.
Revs need a spark
Speaking of reserves, no club has found out so much so early about its depth than New England. The Revs have been deprived of starters Taylor Twellman and Mauricio Castro all season, while Chris Albright has played only one game. Matt Reis has started three games and Steve Ralston has four appearances.
Given those absences, the Revs' 2-2-4 record is nothing short of miraculous -- especially as they've been outshot 90-24 in their last five games. But smoke and mirrors are effective for only so long, and the news that Twellman and Albright could be back by the end of the month is a huge boost to Steve Nicol's side.
In the meantime, New England likely will continue to make ends meet by employing the unlikely front two of Ralston and Shalrie Joseph. Their effectiveness together tells me two things: First, players with good soccer IQs can play anywhere; second, the likes of forward Kheli Dube and Kenny Mansally should be ashamed that veteran midfielders are considered better options while playing out of position.
The Revolution has long been known as a team with a knack for polishing rough gems, whether through the draft or by bringing in otherwise undiscovered talent. There are plenty more of those opportunities on the current squad, but -- Darrius Barnes and Kevin Alston apart -- there has been a failure to capitalize on those chances when injuries to more established players have struck. That shortcoming has demanded even more from New England's starters.
The Revs are making a stand for now, but to continue their streak of making the playoffs, New England needs less traffic in the treatment room and more fringe players proving themselves on a consistent basis.
Well played, young man
Credit for D.C. United's resurgence seems roughly split between the team's rookies and grizzled veterans, but the influence of others also has been vital. Dejan Jakovic has solidified the back line while, in midfield, Santino Quaranta is showing the form that earned him national team caps in 2005.
Quaranta's substance-abuse problems following those successes have been well-documented, as has the resulting slide in his soccer career. Ill-fated moves to Los Angeles and New York saw him regress to the point that, in order to win a second chance in D.C., he had to try out as a free agent.
Just over a year later, Quaranta's hard work has earned him that chance to showcase skills he first displayed at Bradenton as a member of the national U-17 and U-20 teams. A goal and five assists in seven games this season is statistical proof of the strides he has made.
The next logical step for the 24-year-old is an international recall, and the Gold Cup would seem to be the perfect stage for his soccer journey to finally come full circle. After all, it was in the final of the same tournament, back in 2005, that Quaranta netted the winning penalty against Panama.
A thing that made me go hmmm …
Who is the Rookie of the Year so far? There are a number of candidates, but the early leaders are the D.C. United duo Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace, with the former holding the edge at the moment.
That said, the form of Stefan Frei, Darrius Barnes and Matt Besler -- albeit at less "glamorous" positions -- means the race for the honor will be hard-fought until the end of the season. Moreover, it won't be limited to these candidates. Steve Zakuani is inconsistent but explosive, while Omar Gonzalez is gradually beginning to show why L.A. was so high on him. Then there's Sam Cronin, George John and Jeremy Hall, who deserves a chance to start in New York.
Though I stand by my opinion that the draft is becoming less and less relevant -- what with the best players increasingly looking abroad and clubs expanding their scouting networks to find players from beyond these shores -- this year's class has shown early on that, given the chance and the right environment, first-year pros can flourish in MLS.
Real-ly sorry!
To those of you in Utah, I apologize for inadvertently taking this year's all-star game away from you! On last Friday's U.S. Soccer Show podcast, I said that Seattle, and not Salt Lake City, would host the annual league showcase in July. Whoops, my mistake!
Hopefully you've all been enjoying our weekly offering on the airwaves, the odd mishap notwithstanding. It's still a work in progress, but we hope we're on the right track. Let us know what you think by e-mailing us podcast@soccernet.com. and typing 'U.S. Soccer Show' in the subject column.
Andrew Hush
