Major League Soccer announced the All-Star Game’s squad today, but nobody’s going to chisel that in stone. There are always a couple of injuries that rear their head before the exhibition’s kickoff, and with the Gold Cup final the weekend before the league’s party in Kansas City, there are bound to be a few more cancelled plane tickets before Peter Vermes has to pick an XI for AS Roma.
For people morose that their favorites weren’t named to the initial squad, that should be a point of solace, but whether your guy slots in isn’t merely about whether somebody drops out. As Vermes’ selections showed, many of the decisions are defined by positional need, with the All-Star Game coach needing to have cover at as many positions as possible.
So as we go through the potential drop-outs, the need to have a like-for-like backup becomes important when considering who else might come in.
(Also worth considering: The quicker we approach July 31, the more likely the replacement will be the first guy to say “Yes” to “Can you be in Kansas City by tomorrow night?” That’s why a Sporting player is listed as a possibility at almost every spot.)
Nick Rimando, G, Real Salt Lake
Reason: Gold Cup duty
Likelihood for ASG: Good
Details: Rimando may not need any rest to go from 90-plus minutes in Chicago to playing against Roma.
Conjectured possibilities: SKC’er Jimmy Nielsen would be an obvious replacement.
Corey Ashe, LB, Houston Dynamo
Reason: Gold Cup duty
Likelihood for ASG: Unknown
Details: If Ashe’s fitness allows him to start taking part in the Gold Cup, his availability could depend on how much action he gets in the tournaments’ final matches. If he plays significant minutes or fitness keeps him from playing at all, Vermes will have to call up a left back, as he has no other natural players for the position on the roster.
Conjectured possibilities: Todd Dunivant, local option Seth Sinovic, or former SKC’er Michael Harrington? Again, availability will be key.
Tony Beltran, RB, Real Salt Lake
Reason: Gold Cup duty
Likelihood for ASG: Below average
Details: Beltran bested Michael Parkhurst in their early Gold Cup auditions, so the RSL right back may be more likely to see time throughout the rest of the tournament. If that plays out, he’ll either slide into a sub’s role in Kansas City or be replaced. With DeAndre Yedlin on the roster, Vermes could opt for a right or left back as a replacement. He’s going to be short at one of the two positions.
Conjectured possibilities: Chance Myers drives in, Zach Loyd flies up from Dallas, or you hope Y.P. Lee isn’t flying home for the week? Regardless, Sheanon Williams deserves a place in the discussion.
Kyle Beckerman, M, Real Salt Lake
Reason: Gold Cup duty
Likelihood for ASG: Bad
Details: Beckerman’s a great bet to rack up big minutes at the Gold Cup and be replaced. Patrice Bernier is already in the team, as is Will Johnson, so Vermes doesn’t necessarily have to name a like-for-like replacement. But since Johnson’s not a true holder, a deeper midfielder might be called on as Beckerman’s replacement.
Conjectured possibilities: Nigel Reo-Coker may be back in England, and many will instinctively want Dax McCarty to have this spot, but Osvaldo Alonso is difficult to overlook, even with his prolonged absence. Does Vermes pick to win or reward?
Brad Davis, LM, Houston Dynamo
Reason: Fitness
Likelihood for ASG: Who knows?
Details: Davis hasn’t played for Houston since June 22, missing the last three games. If he’s needs to be replaced, who comes in may depend on what setup Vermes chooses. If MLS plays Sporting KC’s 4-3-3, Davis could be replaced by anybody. The team doesn’t need a true left-sider.
Conjectured possibilities: If Davis is out, it does seem logical to at least bolster the midfield, and in that respect, there’s no shortage of directions Vermes could go. Few would argue if Javier Morales was called, Seba La Toux has numbers (though he should thank Conor Casey for those), but again, if you’re choosing to win, you might want to consider Davis teammate Boniek Garcia.
Robbie Keane, F, LA Galaxy
Reason: Fitness
Likelihood for ASG: Seems iffy
Details: Keane did not look good when he came off against Portland. He seemed discouraged after the game. We won’t know until later this week what the diagnosis is; however, I wouldn’t be surprised if LA looks at the schedule and sees this as a good time to get him rested.
Conjectured possibilities: Jack McInerney. The fans seem to want him. The goal totals certainly supports the selection. However, Vermes would be justified selecting his own guy, Claudio Bieler, while I continue to think there has got room in this game for Federico Higuaín.
