Nats Callups: Time to step up

The United States roster for the New Zealand friendly and the Confederations Cup was just announced, and 16 MLS players have been included. They will miss several games over the next month with their club teams. Some teams, like Chicago, Columbus, and the Metrostars, each missing three players, are affected more than others. It's a critical point in the season, as teams must reorganize their lineups, and the less-affected teams try to capitalize on the callups. It's also an important time for many players, who have an opportunity to step in and show why they deserve more playing time. With that in mind, here are ten players that need to step up their game this summer, for their own cause, and for the team.

CHICAGO-M Andy Williams. (Loses Armas, Beasley, Bocanegra)

The Fire's offense has exploded a week ago against Colorado, winning 4-0. It was also the first game he was absent from the Fire midfield. After returning from Jamaica, where he scored the winning goal against Nigeria, he sat on the bench against San Jose as Dave Sacharan kept the same starting eleven. The result? A 4-1 win over unbeaten San Jose. Justin Mapp and Logan Pause have looked good in the midfield, and Jesse Marsch is about to return from injury, but the departures of Armas and Beasley will ensure him plenty of playing time. Williams has yet to stick with a MLS team for an extended period of time, and it's time for him to step up and show his ability.

COLUMBUS-F Brian McBride (Cunningham, Hejduk, Martino)

McBride has passed on the Confederations Cup to be home with his pregnant wife. He'll feel awfully lonely up top for the Crew, as Jeff Cunningham has been called up, and Edson Buddle remains out with an injury. McBride is having his best season with the Crew in years, and he'ss have to continue that as defenses will key on him even more. Martino and Hejduk make things happen for the Crew; that means he'll probably get fewer chances, so he'll have to finish the ones that he gets.

DC-M Marco Etcheverry (Convey, Stewart)

This could be Etcheverry's last season if he doesn't improve. He's looked good at times this season, but he's up there in years, and many fans feel Bobby Convey should be running the show in midfield. He recently had surgery, and Convey scored two goals against Dallas in his absence. With DC's forwards scaring no one, they more offense from the midfield. DC is winless and already eight points behind Chicago and Columbus for the last playoff spot. With those teams missing three players each, this is the make or break point for United's season.

METROSTARS-F Mike Magee (Howard, Mathis, Pope)

The Metrostars are among the hardest hit teams, losing their three best players for a month, and Tim Howard probably won't be back. The Metros have only allowed 5 goals in eight games so far, but the best defense in MLS will hard-pressed to keep that up for much longer. That means they'll have to start scoring more, and MathisEproduction will have to be replaced. Jaime Moreno is continually injured, and can't be counted on. A Magee-Wolyniec forward line is probable, and the 18 year old has shown some promise, scoring twice already. He'll be asked to contribute more, which is tough for a rookie forward. Luckily, the middle of the field remains strong with Guevara and Williams.

NEW ENGLAND-F Wolde Harris (Twellman)

Taylor Twellman has been a goal-scoring machine in MLS, but someone will have to score while he's gone. Joe-Max Moore is banged up, so who knows how reliable he'll be. The Revs could see a forward pairing of Harris and rookie Pat Noonan. Noonan may not be expected to produce much right away, but Wolde Harris will be. He's yet to score this year, despite having many chances, and as a veteran, he'll be expected to pick up the slack while Twellman's gone.

COLORADO-F John Spencer (Mastroeni)

The Rapids have two problems: They are last in goals allowed per game, and second to last in goals scored per game. Losing their best player for at least a month won't help. They have some weapons on offense, but they aren't producing. Spencer made a big splash in 2001, his first year in the league. Last year, he was injured for much of the season. The Rapids will need his veteran leadership if they are to improve on the field. With Zizi Roberts hurt, Spencer and Chris Carrieri will have to start producing.

DALLAS-F Ed Johnson (none)

Dallas is the only team not to lose a player, so they are in prime position to pick up some points. DallasED is all right, but they need to score some goals, with just eight in seven games. Ed Johnson, 19, has been touted as a future star by many. He's played well the past couple years in limited action, scoring a few goals. This year he's seen his first regular playing time, but has little to show for it. Cerritos and Rhine are pushing him, and he didn't get off the bench against DC on Saturday. But, neither of them are superstars, so the Burn are hoping that he can live up to his potential and become a full-time starter.

KANSAS CITY-D Nick Garcia (Klein)

Kansas City's young defensive star is an alternate on Bruce Arena's squad, having been in a few camps earlier this year. The Wizards are the highest scoring team in the league, but are also the second worst defensively, not being able to hold a lead. Klein will be missed, but Preki, Simutenkov, and a returning Josh Wolff will keep the offence on target. Of the top nine goalscorers this year, four have been called up, and another is Preki. Playmakers Bobby Convey and Landon Donovan are gone also. With a weakened league, the Wizards defense must improve, and Garcia must be a leader.

LOS ANGELES-D Hong Myung-Bo (Califf)

Hong was the biggest name acquisition of the offseason, but has seemed out of place in the defensive midfield. With Califf gone, he'll have a chance to move back into the back line, where hopefully he'll regain the form he showed at the World Cup. The Galaxy have struggled to produce offense, scoring 4 goals in eight games. Ruiz is the only threat, but that was the case last year, and it worked then. Hong can keep the defense solid, while allowing a faster, more offensive-minded player in the midfield, to feed the ball to Ruiz.

SAN JOSE-F Brian Mullan (Donovan)

Brian Ching just went down with an injury, allowing Mullan to play up top against Chicago. He's played mostly in the midfield this season, but without Donovan, he'll be a starting forward, and that's a big challenge. Ching should be back soon, but who knows when he'll be 100 percent? Even then, he'll have to worry about meshing well up top. He didn't score much in LA, but he's young and has some talent.