McCarthy: Five Influential Players In MLS In 2009

By Kyle McCarthy

What makes a player important to his team?

It's hard to quantify, but easy to spot. Some teams just don't perform well without their talisman. Others lack enough depth or quality to replace their most influential player.

This edition of the Friday Five examines a few of those key players. Other players around the league will influence their teams, but these five players will most influence their team's playoff hopes in 2009.

1. Landon Donovan, Los Angeles striker

Just what MLS defenses wanted to see in 2009: a rejected and motivated Donovan. As if the 2008 version of Donovan wasn't potent enough. The Galaxy will need every goal Donovan can supply to make the playoffs because that defense still isn't where it needs to be.

2. Juan Pablo Angel, New York striker

New York's striking corps is comprised of the following: Angel and a bunch of fast guys (plus John Wolyniec) who don't score regularly. Deprive the Red Bulls of Angel's 20 goals and suddenly the playoff push looks somewhat impossible with the roster currently in place. Include Angel and the Red Bulls could assemble another playoff run.

3. Sacha Kljestan, Chivas USA midfielder

Panchito Mendoza deprived Chivas USA of more than a versatile left-sided player when he decamped for Mexico in the close season. Mendoza's creativity added another dimension to the Goats' midfield when Kljestan wasn't around or couldn't find his form. Now all of the onus falls on Kljestan for as long as he remains in red and white. He can deliver, but the question is how long he'll remain around to do so.

4. Carl Robinson, Toronto midfielder

Imagine trying to play tight defense with Rohan Ricketts, Dwayne De Rosario and Amado Guevara surging forward with reckless abandon. If that wasn't enough, TFC will also boast a reconfigured central defense with Adrian Serioux and a player to be named later that will need to find some chemistry. That's why Robinson – TFC's steady holding and gap-filling midfielder – will have to excel again in 2009.

5. Jimmy Conrad, Kansas City defender

No team needs one defender like Kansas City needs Conrad. Without Conrad around, the Wizards would throw out a Jonathan Leathers – Aaron Hohlbein – Matt Besler – Michael Harrington back line. That youthful defense won't be enough to back stop a long playoff run. A bonus? Conrad also chips in with goals on the other end for the occasionally goal-shy Wizards.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com.