by Sean Heffernan 

The US have two friendlies scheduled in Europe against Slovakia (Nov. 14) and Denmark (Nov. 18) making those MLS players who's clubs advanced this weekend unavailable for national team duty. Time with the national team is precious to those players fighting to earn their spot on the roster heading to South Africa next summer for the World Cup. Success with their MLS teams won't be ignored by USMNT head coach Bob Bradley, but those American players will miss out on making an impression in person. Below is a breakdown of the players who might have been had been called up for the friendlies in Europe, but were unavailable because of the MLS Cup Conference Finals...

 Real Salt Lake

Robbie Findley- The speedy forward would have likely gotten a call up for the friendlies, but he will be busy next weekend playing in the MLS Cup Western Conference Finals. Many soccer analysts have highlighted Findley's as a possible replacement on the national team for Sochaux forward Charlie Davies who was injured in a car accident last month. The 24 year old striker had a career year scoring 12 goals this season in MLS.

 Kyle Beckerman- RSL's dread locked captain also had a decent shot of being called up after playing well for the US in the summer's Gold Cup. The US is very deep in quality central midfielders with the likes of Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, and Jermaine Jones all playing in Europe. However, with Edu and Jones both injured Beckerman could have made his case with Bradley in Slovakia and Denmark.

Chicago Fire

Chris Rolfe- Had Chicago not pulled out a victory on Saturday night against the Revs it would have been Rolfe’s last game in a Fire uniform as the 26 year old signed a contract with Danish club Aalborg BK in September. Instead the former University of Dayton Flyer will get one more chance to wear red and white in front of Fire fans. In his four seasons with the Fire Rolfe has been one of the club’s most consistent players scoring 36 goals in 123 appearances. Rolfe has a creative ability with the ball in the final third that is very rare in the American player pool. The US could have used his attacking abilities in the 2009 Gold Cup where they ran out of answers in the final against Mexico.

It would have been interesting to see Rolfe get called in had the Fire lost, but if he can find some success next season in Europe he could earn some serious consideration for next summer.

 Logan Pause- For the last six years patrolling the Fire’s midfield Pause has earned a reputation as solid MLS professional. The Hillsborough, North Carolina product was a third round draft pick in 2003, but Pause grew into the role that Chris Armas left when he retired from the Fire in 2007. Pause’s hard work paid off this summer when he was called in for this summer’s CONCAF Gold Cup.

With Beckerman and Clark unavailable Pause really would have had a good chance of being called in had the Fire lost. The 28 year old would've had two matches to make his case with Bob Bradley, but I’m sure he’s happy about advancing in the playoffs. Pause also won the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year Award along with Kansas City Wizard defender Jimmy Conrad this past week for his many charitable works he’s involved with. Pause is a real long shot for the World Cup, but it’s hard not to root for this guy.

 John Thorrington- On Saturday night the 30 year old professional was all over the field for the Fire and scored the first goal in front of a sellout crowd in Bridgeview. Thorrington was probably not going to be called anyway having not played recently due to injuries, but he was a real difference maker for the Fire. The veteran player can play in the midfield or at right back (where Bob Bradley has used him before). Playing well for the Fire in the playoffs will help his stock rise as a fringe USMNT player. Don’t be surprised if Thorrington gets a call up the January camp. Also I enjoyed his interviewing skills with this Chicago Tribune feature he did with Logan Pause.

Jon Busch- One of the best goal keepers in MLS over his seven years in the league, Jon Busch should be at least considered for national team duty. Busch doesn’t have a great shot at making the World Cup roster with Tim Howard a lock for the starting position, but you never know what could happen before next summer. Although Brad Guzan has been the back up on the national team the past few years, if Howard should get hurt before the World Cup I don’t know if Bradley would be comfortable putting Guzan in net for the US if he doesn’t start regularly for his club team, Aston Villa. There are a number of other American keepers in Europe, but solid MLS goalies like Busch should be considered too if a crisis arises. Busch has one cap with the national team and has been called into US camps a number of times.

After the game Saturday night the Fire keeper was visibly pumped up in a post match interview with Fox Soccer Channel calling out ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas for saying prior to the game that the Fire had no heart. You gotta love awkward television!

Houston Dynamo-

Stuart Holden- The creative midfielder was touted by many as the US’s best performer this summer in the Gold Cup. This year also so Holden become a MLS All Star, a  substitute against Mexico in Estadio Azteca, and a starter replacing an injured Clint Dempsey in the final two World Cup Qualifiers. Holden made everyone forget about Dwayne De Rosario in Houston leading the Dynamo to the playoffs and a second place finish in the Western Conference.

Holden’s extended service to the US in the Gold Cup and World Cup Qualifying has him well positioned to make the World Cup roster. It appears likely that Holden will be heading to Europe once the season is over, but he will need to find a club where he can earn consistent playing time if he wants to keep knocking on the door to USMNT's starting lineup.

Ricardo Clark- - A favorite of Bob Bradley, the defensive midfielder had a surreal summer in South Africa with the national team upsetting Spain and almost winning the Confederations Cup over Brazil. Clark has been for the past year the first choice of Bob Bradley to pair with his son, Michael Bradley, in central midfield. Clark’s play at the Confederations Cup and during World Cup Qualifying earned him some attention from European clubs, but rumors have died down since the summer of a move to  Europe. Clark looked pretty banged up on Sunday, but with all the competition in the US midfield he can use every opportunity he gets to solidify his place on the national team.

When Jermaine Jones gets healthy many have the Schalke 04 talisman penciled in to replace Clark, but if Clark continues to play well he certainly will be in the mix for South Africa.

 Brian Ching- Though the Hawaiian striker often drives a large contingent of US fans crazy, the two time MLS champion is a consistent target forward. Ching may not score goals like it’s going out of fashion, but his overtime winner in Houston on Sunday was truly inspiring. You could see how bad he wanted that goal. Though he won’t win any popularity contests with US Soccer fanatics, Ching will be in the battle for a spot on the trip to South Africa all the way up to next summer.

 Bobby Boswell- It amazes me how unheralded Boswell has been over his career as he’s won two Supporter’s Shields and a MLS Defender of the Year Award with DC United and anchored Houston’s solid backline the past two seasons. He almost signed with a Turkish club after the 2008 season, but he ended signing a new four year deal with Houston. Boswell has been off the US radar for awhile, but he really should be considered being one of the best center back s in MLS. Boswell should be in the mix for making the USMNT along with Jimmy Conrad and Chad Marshall. Now all he has to worry about is keeping Landon Donovan and David Beckham at bay next Friday night in LA.  

 Brad Davis- Am I a nerd for thinking this guy look like he could have been a hobbit in Lord of the Rings? Ok, I’m definitely a nerd, but Hobbit or not Davis can play. The midfielder just makes things happen on the field for the Dynamo. The Dynamo have been one of the top teams in the league without a goal scoring machine striker much in part to the play of the 27 year old. The service Brad Davis provides his teammates is among the best in MLS this side of David Beckham. At the 2009 MLS All Star Game, Davis played wonderfully scoring the All Stars’ only goal in the 1-1 loss to Everton on penalties. After being snubbed by Bradley for the Gold Cup, I would have really liked to see Davis back in the USMNT picture, but the Dynamo will continue to battle for another MLS Cup.

 Geoff Cameron-The second year man has been great in his roles both as a central defender in both the midfield and the back line for the Dynamo. After a excellent 2009 season that saw Cameron start the All Star Game, many had the former University of Rhode Island Ram fast tracked for national team duty. A first ever call up will have to wait for Cameron who is busy with the Dynamo. Cameron would have been a nice addition to the Slovakia/Denmark friendlies because of his versatility in both the midfield and defense. Keep your eye on this kid in the years to come.

LA Galaxy

 Landon Donovan-There really was no reason for the US's best player to be involved in the upcoming friendlies. Then again whenever the national team suits up US fans want a victory and having Donovan on the pitch makes a huge difference. The Galaxy are playing well and the Beckham experiment is finally showing some positive results. Let Landon enjoy it after enduring the darkness of the previous two seasons in LA.

 Todd Dunivant-The Galaxy left back has been solid this year for Bruce Arena on a backline that was one of the best in MLS in 2009. Borenstein's play towards the end of World Cup Qualifying has the Chivas USA star the front runner for the left back job with the national team, but the position battle is far from over. Edgar Castillo has been pumped up by many as Borenstein's main competitor, but the former Mexican international has yet to play for the United States. Dunivant is not a track star going forward, but he might be a better defender than Borenstein and Castillo. Castillo has admited that his defending needs work and Borenstein has made several blunders that have cost the national team in the past. Dunivant's solid defending, experience (won two MLS Cups) , and consistency should put him in the mix for the left back  job.

What other players do you think really missed out on the friendlies because of MLS play? Share your thoughts below!

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  by Sean Heffernan

Although in recent years Major League Soccer has signed a few international stars to multi-million dollar deals, many players in the league are paid less than a lot of college graduates make their first year out of school. To make matters worse some of MLS’s best players are also some of the lowest paid. In America, where we’re so accustom to overpaid professional athletes, it’s both endearing and disturbing to recognize these five soccer players who don’t play for expensive shoe contracts or million dollar signing bonuses, but excel on the field nonetheless. So the Top Five are...

5. Jeff Larentowicz (New England Revolution)

            2009 Salary: $34,650

Jeff Larentowicz has been with the Revs since 2005 and has developed into solid professional alongside Sharlie Joseph in the midfield. The red headed footballer showed his merit in 2006 when he stepped in when a number of players were out hurt, and in 2007 he became a regular starter for manager Stevie Nichol. Larentowicz has been one of the Revolution’s most consistent players the past three seasons and management should reward the 26-year-old with a respectable contract. There’s no reason Larentowicz should be paid less than most rookies in the league when he is one MLS’s best midfielders.

4. Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo)

2009 Salary: $34,650

The second year man out of Rhode Island has been a reliable force in both the midfield as well as the back line for the Houston Dynamo. Houston has the best record in MLS with Cameron playing more minutes this season than anyone on the team. The versatile Cameron was a finalist for the rookie of the year award in 2008 after garnering consistent playing time half way through his first season in Houston. Cameron was an All Star in 2009 and has 1 goal and 3 assists so far on the campaign. The 24-year-old isn’t a big star in MLS, but with his solid, hardnosed play for the league’s elite team he deserves a raise.

3. Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

2009 Salary: $55,000

The 34-year-old keeper has been a big key to Chivas USA’s success in MLS this year. Thornton was a stalwart in goal for the Chicago Fire for 8 seasons before he spent some time in Portugal. When Thornton returned to the Fire he lost his job and bounced around the MLS for a few years before finding a starting job in Los Angeles. Thornton’s cagey play in net earned him a spot as Kasey Keller’s back up in the All Star Game.

The hulking 6 ft 3, 230 pound Thornton is playing as well as any keeper in MLS this year, but is paid much less than a number of goalies who are struggling this season such as John Conway (New York Red Bulls, $123, 625) and Dario Sala (FC Dallas, $158,125). After a great start to the season (much due to Thornton’s play), Chivas USA is now battling for one of the final playoff spots. Having a quality keeper in Thornton might just be enough to push Chivas USA into the playoffs when the season ends.

 2. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle Sounders)

2009 Salary: $ 37, 000

Sigi Schmid and the Seattle Sounders did a masterful job swooping up Columbians Freddy Montero and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado. While Montero (the leading scorer in Columbia in ’08) signed with Seattle for $155,000, Hurtado was signed for very little even by MLS standards. The 25-year-old defender had been looked at by the likes of Arsenal and AC Milan so when the Sounders had the opportunity to sign Hurtado they jumped at the chance.

Anchoring the expansion team’s defensive backline this year, Hurtado earned himself a place among the league’s best paid players in the 2009 MLS All Star Game. His wife Daysury gave birth this year to their first child so I would hope that this time next year he is getting paid quite a bit more.

1.      Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo)

2009 Salary: $34,728

Prior to the 2009 MLS season many were skeptical about Holden being able to fill the hole in the Houston Dynamo's midfield left by the departure of Dwayne DeRosario, but the 24-year-old has silenced those critics by having a breakout season for both club and country. Holden was likely the U.S.'s best player during the Gold Cup and was even a substitute in Azteca in the World Cup Qualifier against Mexico earlier this month. Despite all this, the former Sunderland prospect is severely underpaid by the Dynamo. I imagine that Holden makes some money from appearances and commercials, but it can't be a lot.

It’s a shame for the league and US Soccer that Holden, probably MLS’s brightest young star, is paid so poorly. If the league wants to be respected on the world stage the first thing that needs to change is the underpaying of some of the league’s better players as is apparent with Holden.

Good news is that Holden's contract is up at the end of the season. One would think Holden could make a lot more money playing overseas, but may not want to leave his hometown of Houston. With the World Cup kicking off next summer Holden is in contention to make the US roster. It’s important that Holden is playing regularly and not riding the pine somewhere in Europe if he wants to go to South Africa. However, if Holden can find a club overseas where he can break into the starting eleven quickly then he can even increase his chances of being selected by Bob Bradley for the World Cup roster.