by Jeff Dieffenbach

U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena announced Sunday that European-based Steve Cherundolo joins the World Cup roster. Cherundolo replaces the injured Chris Armas, who tore his right ACL in a non-contact injury against Uruguay last Saturday.

While Cherundolo officially steps in for Armas, he actually takes the place of Greg Vanney, also a victim of a torn ligament (MCL) in the right knee, suffered early in the second half of Thursday’s match against Jamaica.

Following Sunday’s game against the Netherlands, Arena spoke with a group of reporters about Cherundolo. “I think that we need some cover, especially in the outside back position. And that’s certainly why Vanney was going to be selected in the 23 man roster.”

Cherundolo’s arrival continues a trend that for the most part sees European-based U.S. players on the wings, with those from MLS occupying the middle ground.

In the back, four of the five central defenders play their club ball for MLS: Jeff Agoos, Carlos Llamosa, Pablo Mastroeni, and Eddie Pope. Only Gregg Berhalter plays abroad.

Conversely, all five of the wing backs (including Vanney) play for European-based clubs: Cherundolo, Frankie Hejduk, David Regis, and Tony Sanneh.

The pattern muddles somewhat at midfield, due in part to injuries and to players who see time both in the middle and on the wing. The only pure central midfielders are Claudio Reyna (England) and Armas (MLS), although MLS-based Landon Donovan (at midfield or forward) and foreign-based John O’Brien will most likely be used in the middle.

At wing midfield, Europe-based Eddie Lewis and Earnie Stewart (the latter a candidate for the center) balance DaMarcus Beasley and Cobi Jones of MLS.

Up front, three of the four central forwards make their club homes in MLS: Clint Mathis, Brian McBride, and Josh Wolff. The only European-based player to make the cut is Joe-Max Moore.

One hypothesis has it that the relatively young MLS does not yet have the sophistication in the center as compared with the more established European leagues. That is, the quality gap is larger in the center of the field than it is on the wings, making it easier for wide players to make the jump. The continued high level of play from O’Brien and Reyna, coupled with new European interest in Donovan, Mathis, and Pope, to name just three, provides evidence that the gap is perhaps decreasing.

Asked by Soccer365 to comment whether there is an “MLS in the Middle” pattern, Arena replied, “Not that I’m aware of, but I’ll think about it.”

Consciously arrived at or not, the pattern exists. Two-thirds of the middle positions are held by MLS players, and three-quarters of the wing positions are occupied by Europe-based players.

Positions and Affiliations

Jeff Agoos, central defense: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
*Chris Armas, central midfield: Chicago Fire (MLS)
DaMarcus Beasley, wing midfield: Chicago Fire (MLS)
Gregg Berhalter, central defense: Crystal Palace (England)
Steve Cherundolo, wing defense: Hanover 96 (Germany)
Landon Donovan, central/wing midfield: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Frankie Hejduk, wing defense: Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Cobi Jones, wing midfield: Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Eddie Lewis, wing midfield: Fulham FC (England)
Carlos Llamosa, central defense: New England Revolution (MLS)
Pablo Mastroeni, central defense: Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Clint Mathis, central forward: New York/New Jersey MetroStars (MLS)
Brian McBride, central forward: Columbus Crew (MLS)
Joe-Max Moore, central forward: Everton (England)
John O’Brien, central/wing midfield: Ajax (The Netherlands)
Eddie Pope, central defense: DC United (MLS)
David Regis, wing defense: FC Metz (France)
Claudio Reyna, central midfield: Sunderland (England)
Tony Sanneh, wing defense: FC Nurnberg (Germany)
Earnie Stewart, central/wing midfield: NAC Breda (The Netherlands)
*Greg Vanney, wing defense: Bastia (France)
Josh Wolff, central forward: Chicago Fire (MLS)
* Injured and unavailable