Injuries are part of the game, there's no denying that. But to some Major League Soccer clubs, they have been a real crippler. In fact, there are so many fine players currently on the mend you could make a team out of them... so we did.

by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Injuries are part of the game, there's no denying that. But to some Major League Soccer clubs, they have been a real crippler.

Both Real Salt Lake and Seattle have been down to third keepers. Chivas USA, Columbus and New England have weathered injury rashes all season, to varying degrees of success.

In fact, there are so many fine players currently on the mend you could make a team out of them... so I did. Everyone on the squad has either missed much of the season to date or is set to miss at least a fair chunk of the remainder. All are key losses to their respective teams.

As a group, our wonderful wounded have piled up 11 MLS Cup rings, one league MVP, two Golden Boots, two Rookie of the Year prizes and seven Best XI nods.

Dario Sala - The FC Dallas netminder is already recovering from a knee surgery for the second time in 2009. Sala missed the first five games, struggled on his return, sat a red card suspenion and then went back under the knife. He's only made two starts this term and his next one isn't likely to come before July at the earliest.

Sean Franklin - Talk about major blows, Los Angeles this week learned that this key cog was lost for the rest of the season due to a torn hamstring tendon. Ouch... to both Franklin and Galaxy boss Bruce Arena. In a team filled with old legs, the 24-year old U.S. National Team hopeful is known for providing reliable, energetic play in several different positions.  

Eddie Robinson - The Dynamo have done well to cover their backline marshal's absence, using midfielder Geoff Cameron in central defense to good results. They will need to keep it together a little while longer, because the wily, physical Robinson will be working back from knee surgery until the heat of summer.

Chris Albright - The World Cup 2006 selection missed the start of New England's campaign, played once and is now recovering from knee surgery. Meanwhile, poor Steve Nicol has been down to Jay Heaps and a gaggle of rookies at the back. Albright is expected to return in late June and should help the Revs both in defense and in the build forward.

Ryan Cochrane - While perhaps not as prestigious a name as the other defenders, the 25-year old San Jose is a solid backliner with two championship rings. Then, consider that San Jose is the only team in the league leaking more than two goals per game. Factoring both together, Cochrane may be missed right now more than most on this list. After having an ankle operation two games into the season, he won't be back until at least mid-July.

Ben Olsen - Sadly, Benny's jets are often in the D.C. United hangar for repairs these days. I could have just as easily given this spot to Houston's Richard Mulrooney, but they seem better equipped to deal with such absences. Olsen has beaten longstanding ankle woes to log seven matches this season, but it's hard to say when his next might be. Yep, it's that nasty hamstring. The best guess is mid-June, says United. 

Adam Moffat - Restricted to just two matches thus far this season, the energetic Scotsman is now nursing a bum hamstring, one of the trickiest recoveries. There's often no telling when this fussy muscle will heal, and Moffat recently suffered a setback. This is bad news for the Crew, who are now missing Brian Carroll in the middle of the park for a few weeks.

Darren Huckerby - Sidelined by an array of kinks and knocks this season, the 33-year old San Jose attack engine is now battling a nagging quadriceps strain that should keep him out another few weeks. Limited to four games thus far, the Earthquakes will hope he can provide a similar summer boost ignition to last season's when he's ready.

Adam Cristman - Bullish and skilled, the forward is still after his Kansas City debut thanks to foot surgery. With the Wizards looking like they might be one goal threat away from contending form, Cristman's recovery is eagerly awaited. Originally slated to return in mid-June, the 24-year old appears to be right on schedule.

Ante Razov - Originally expected back in April, the Chivas USA forward has been slow to get back from offseason ankle surgery. While he may be the player whose presence has been the least costly on our list, it would be silly to leave out one of only four MLS guys to reach the century mark in goals when he's yet to enjoy his 2009 debut.

Taylor Twellman - Speaking of 100 goals, New England's strike ace is only one shy of the milestone. Also waiting on his season bow, Twellman is slated to dress this weekend at Toronto FC. Coach Nicol says he's not yet ready for 90 minutes, but for now it seems the worst of a scary neck injury is over.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners. Questions, comments, kudos or complaints? Email him at greg@noshortcorners.com.

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