Monday, August 17, 2009

OTFATT 2009: Update #5

Previous Updates

#1 4/12 68 players remaining
#2 5/25 34 players remaining
#3 6/25 23 players remaining
#4 7/19 11 players remaining

OTFATT is short for "On the field, all the time." In these updates throughout the season, I'll be keeping track of which MLS players have played every minute of every game (regular season only). That feat has been accomplished 35 times in 13 season by 28 different players. Click here for that list.

The list has dwindled from 11 to 5 over the past month, and we won't see a repeat of the record six survivors from last season (although three of those players could still repeat). What happened to the guys who fell off?

Drew Moor was red carded against RSL, down by two in the 95th minute. In FCD's next game, David Ferreira got subbed out with his team leading by the score of 5-0. Coming on for him was Eric Avila, who's still challenging for the "most sub appearances without a start" record. Both Chivas USA players were missing from last week's loss to the Rapids: Zach Thornton was injured and Carey Talley had accumulated five yellows.

Finally, on Saturday two more fell in the afternoon game between Toronto and DC United. Nick Garcia was hurt and wasn't dressed. Now he won't become the third man to play every minute after being traded in the middle of the season. Previously, Scott Garlick and Chris Klein had pulled that off in 2001 and 2007 respectively. During the match, Bryan Namoff was subbed out to give Julius James his DC debut.

So now we're at five, and an unheralded rookie is the last field player remaining. Darrius Barnes has to be the last guy you'd expect to be in this position. Although, maybe we shouldn't be surprised after Steve Nicol drafted Michael Parkhurst and played him every minute in 2005.

The goalkeepers left aren't causing any second takes. All of them have made this list before, and what's more, none of their backups have ever played a regular season game. Busch and Cannon are going for two years in a row, while Hartman could play a third straight season without missing a minute. No one's ever done that.

Discipline update. With four goalkeepers, you wouldn't think it would be an issue. However, Busch already has three yellows and is only two away from suspension. Barnes only has two. I don't think any MLS keepers have gotten a yellow card suspension IIRC. Busch definitely is more fiery than most, so if it's going to happen, he may be the guy.

Remaining Candidates (5)

CHI Busch
HOU Onstad
KC Hartman
NE Barnes
SJ Cannon

Order of teams being totally wiped out, with last surviving player:

1. NY - Dane Richards (4/18)
2. CLB - Brian Carroll (5/27)
3. SEA - Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (6/14)
4. RSL - Will Johnson (6/27)
5. LA - Omar Gonzalez (6/28)
6. TOR - Adrian Serioux (7/18)
7. COL - Jordan Harvey (7/18)
8. DAL - David Ferreira (8/1)
9. CHV - Carey Talley & Zach Thornton (8/8)
10. DC - Bryan Namoff (8/15)

*Toronto's Nick Garcia was eliminated on 8/15. He had played every minute he was available for two teams - SJ & TOR. Toronto themselves had no remaining players left who had played every minute for them after Adrian Serioux.

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