OTFATT 2010: Update #1

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 39 times in 14 seasons by 29 different players. Click here for the complete list. A month into the season, and out of the 176 opening day starters, 66 remain. It's interesting that only two teams have had to use a second goalkeeper so far. Last year at this time, 8/14 teams had already used multiple keepers, as they seemed to be dropping like flies. For 2010, we're probably going to see a more normal number of them on the list as the weeks go on. Two rookies remain, both center backs: Ike Opara and Tim Ream. An article suggests that Opara could miss this week's match due to conflicts with finishing his degree, we'll see. At least that's a more valid reason than attending prom (Jozy Altidore) or your sister's wedding (Mark Lisi). The only players left who've played every minute before are Joe Cannon, Todd Dunivant, Nick Rimando, and Pat Onstad. I also should mention that due to Kevin Hartman's new status as a backup, his three season record streak of playing every regular season minute ended. That may take a really long time to break. Who do I like the most to survive this year? Among field players, given the past New England players to make it, Cory Gibbs seems to have a decent shot. Others that stand out are Nana Attakora, Omar Gonzalez, Drew Moor, and Ream. BTW, mlssoccer.com's stats are still ridiculously messed up - notice any players missing on the KC stats page, for example? They're not the only team, either. The site is still a joke. Remaining Candidates (66) 2 CHI Brown, Dykstra 4 CHV Bornstein, Kljestan, Trujillo, Umana 6 CLB Barros Schelotto, Carroll, Hesmer, Iro, Moffat, O'Rourke 6 COL Casey, Cummings, Larentowicz, Moor, Pickens, Wynne 5 DAL Cunningham, Ferreira, Harris, Hernandez, John 4 DC Morsink, Perkins, Quaranta, Wallace 3 HOU Chabala, Hainault, Onstad 4 KC Arnaud, Auvray, Harrington, Nielsen 4 LA Donovan, Dunivant, Gonzalez, Ricketts 3 NE Burpo, Gibbs, Niouky 6 NY Angel, Coundoul, Hall, Lindpere, Petke, Ream 4 PHI Harvey, Le Toux, Orozco, Seitz 4 RSL Beckerman, Olave, Rimando, Russell 4 SEA Alonso, Hurtado, Keller, Marshall 4 SJ Cannon, Corrales, Hernandez, Opara 3 TOR Attakora, De Rosario, Frei