The Road to MLS Cup, Week 4

Some early season questions have been answered-- there were some players who could really go either way this year, but the following guys now must be considered to be impact players:

1. Clint Mathis. I almost don't want to write about this guy because so much ink's already been spilled. I, like almost everyone, had written the guy off. But then we caught a glimpse of the old Cleetus in last year's playoffs, and despite your better judgment, you start to think maybe Mathis still has it. The start to the season, with 3 goals and 2 assists (and only one ejection so far!), couldn't be better. Can he keep going? In a way, that's the wrong question. With the shining exception of the 2000 season, when he was the most explosive US player of the modern era, Mathis has always been inconsistent, so I won't be shocked if there are more outbursts and more trouble ahead. So true consistency is really too much to ask: instead, be happy that the mercurial talent is producing at all.

2. Khano Smith. The Revs' Bermudan winger is a great example of something MLS does well: the league is the best platform for Carribean players. I think Smith is poised for a breakout year-- defenses are constantly shifting to try to contain him (witness Chicago moving Dasan Robinson to try to get someone who could at least slow Smith-- it worked-- sort of-- Chicago ended up losing track of players and losing 3-1). And when you consider that the Revs have Steve Ralston, MLS's all-time best crosser, banging in balls from the other side of the field, it's a true compliment to Smith's abilities.

3. Chris Rolfe. There's something off about Chicago's Chris Rolfe. After Rolfe had some rookie success after joining the league as a supremely unheralded rookie, I read an interview with him. He basically said that he lacked confidence and wasn't at all sure of his abilities. Stunning admissions from a professional athlete-- never mind a budding star and national team member who can dazzle with his trickery. But sometimes, you can see the uncertainty eat at Rolfe-- he seems to take failure hard. But so far this year (and to be fair, every year), Rolfe has been The Man for the Fire.

4. Maykel Galindo. His goal-scoring for Chivas USA has definitely taken some of the load off of Ante Razov.

5. Roberto Brown. Another Latin American goal-scorer-- these guys are great acquisitions for any team that puts in the time to scout them. It really makes you wonder why more MLS teams haven't benefited.