If… Rudyard Kipling Was An MNT Fan

Spotted this literary masterpiece over at Big Soccer, and renowned author Kinstlinger has kindly let me share it with you.

For the Kipling original go here, but I suggest you read on for the USA 2006 remix…

IF Kasey gets injured…
9 on the worry scale
I like Marcus, but he hasn’t played much with this team, and that’s important. Kasey brings much more than just his skills. I can’t imagine T-Ho being annointed the starter; just not enough playing time this season in important games.

IF ‘Dolo gets injured…
7 on the worry scale
Who backs him up ? Albright ? A good MLS player with scant national experience isn’t the best person to put in that role, but whereas Frankie’s mistakes can be redeemed by his upside, Albright doesn’t make mistakes, he just doesn’t have the upside.

IF Gooch gets injured…
8 on the worry scale.
People are talking so much about what he brings to this team in terms of size and power, about his battles with Koller and Toni. If we lose him, it means we’ll probably see Pope/Conrad/Gibbs/Boca as centerbacks.

IF Gibbs gets injured…
6 on the worry scale
Boca/Pope/Conrad get the nod. There is a big drop-off from a ‘fit’ Gibbs to his backups, but we don’t know his fitness in 5 weeks. Depends on the opponent

IF Eddie Lewis gets injured…
6 on the worry scale
Can Gibbs fill at left back ? I guess he’d have to. It means hoping he’s fit enough to run and advance.

IF Mastroeni gets injured…
7.5 on the worry scale.
Not that Mastro is world-class, but because his position would be filled by Olsen, who is all heart, but not the same shut-down abilities.

IF Dempsey gets injured…
7 on the worry scale.
Who else would play right mid ?

IF O’Brien gets injured…
IF ??

IF Reyna gets injured…
8 on the worry scale, depending on JOB’s health.
If O’Brien can play come June, he can handle Reyna’s duties, but if he can’t, this team looks awfully toothless without a distributor.

IF Beasley gets injured…
I used to think this would be an 8, but I’d say 6.5
Although Beasley has the WC and International pedigree, I think Convey would be able to step in nicely, if he had to. Nobody knew who DMB was 4 years ago.

IF Donovan gets injured…
9 on the worry scale..
So much more than just his duties.

IF GAM gets injured…
Anything we’d get from Eddie would be icing on the cake. If we’re assuming he’s the focal point of our attack, we’re behind anyways.

IF McBride gets injured…
8.5 on the worry scale.
Ching has his moments, but not enough of them.