by Jeff Dieffenbach

Coach Bruce Arena may not have the boys together until Wednesday night’s match in Germany, but that doesn’t mean that he ignored them this past weekend in the opening matches of the Major League Soccer season.

As this reviewer wasn’t able to see everyone in action, there won’t be grades this time around, just “plus” for those who helped their case, “minus” for those who hurt it, and “neutral” for those who didn’t stand out or for whom soccer365.com, mlsnet.com, and television did not provide any information.

Tim Howard (goalkeeper), plus: Howard played well but was rarely tested as his New York/New Jersey MetroStars bested the new-look-but-not-new-result New England Revolution 3-1. Howard had no chance to stop New England’s only goal, slotted low to his right from close range by Alex Pineda Chacon after some fancy footwork in the box tied defender Mike Petke in knots.

Tony Meola (goalkeeper), neutral: The veteran Meola, bound for Rostock Germany to back up Kasey Keller in a World Cup tune-up match, helped his Kansas City Wizards to a 1-1 tie with the Colorado Rapids.

Nick Rimando (goalkeeper), neutral: With a bit more seasoning, Rimando may find himself in the World Cup mix. On Saturday, his DC United fell to the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 on a golden goal penalty kick.

Zach Thornton (goalkeeper), plus: Thornton kept his Chicago Fire sheet clean in a 2-0 blanking of the Columbus Crew. Howard, Meola, and Thornton are battling for the third World Cup roster spot behind Brad Friedel and Keller. As of now, the nod goes to the Thornton over fellow youngster Howard, with the former appearing just a bit more mature between the pipes.

Jeff Agoos (defender), neutral: Agoos, also Germany- and South Korea-bound, anchored a San Jose Earthquake defense that shut out the Dallas Burn 2-0.

Carlos Bocanegra (defender), minus: Not really a candidate to make the roster this time around, Fire defender Bocanegra didn’t help his case, earning a red card for a professional foul against the Crew’s Jeff Cunningham.

Carlos Llamosa (defender), minus: Revolution central defender Llamosa, expected to bring stability in place of the sometimes too adventurous and now departed Mauricio Wright, had perhaps the worst outing of a World Cup candidate. Rodrigo Faria put the ball between Llamosa’s legs before picking it up again on the other side and slotting a shot past Revolution goalkeeper Juergen Sommer for the Metrostar’s first goal. Their second goal came courtesy of Llamosa directly, as he nodded an attempted clear past a charging Sommer and into the empty net.

Pablo Mastroeni (defender), neutral: On the World Cup roster bubble, Mastroeni played in the Rapids’ 1-1 tie with Kansas City.

Eddie Pope (defender), minus: Probably bound for South Korea, Pope nonetheless did not have a great weekend, as the Galaxy’s Carlos Ruiz turned on him in the box to net the tying goal in what would eventually be a 2-1 loss for Pope’s DC United.

Chris Armas (midfielder), plus: Definitely holding a ticket for South Korea, Armas played his expected strong game as a defensive (and occasional attacking) midfielder in the Fire’s 2-0 victory over Columbus.

DaMarcus Beasley (midfielder), neutral: Beasley, another bubble player, held down the left midfield for Chicago, not venturing forward as often as is his usual style.

Jeff Cunningham (midfielder), neutral: Cunningham, unlikely to make the trip to South Korea, played a solid buy unremarkable match for the Crew in their 2-0 loss to the Fire.

Cobi Jones (midfielder), plus: Jones, a near certainty for the World Cup roster, tallied an assist on Carlos Ruiz’s first goal in the Galaxy’s win over DC United.

Clint Mathis (midfielder), plus: Like Jones, Mathis seems sure to be playing in South Korea in June. Against the Revolution, he headed home the MetroStars’ insurance goal on a Diego Serna cross in a 3-1 win.

Brian Maisonneuve (midfielder), neutral: Maisonneuve, an unlikely World Cup player, did not stand out in a 2-0 Crew loss to the Fire.

Richard Mulrooney (midfielder), plus: Mulrooney notched a corner kick assist on what would become a Dwayne DeRosario goal, helping his long shot case for South Korea.

Brian West (midfielder), neutral: With Cunningham, Maisonneuve, Brian McBride, and West, the Crew have four World Cup candidates. Unfortunately for West, McBride is the only one of the quartet who has Asia plans in June.

Richie Williams (midfielder), plus: A roster long shot, the veteran Williams made his mark with a goal line clearance of a shot from another veteran and a former standout at the national level, Alexi Lalas.

Ante Razov (forward), plus: Razov, on the cusp of going to South Korea, attempted to make his case with a precision cross that found the foot of Josh Wolff and then the net of Crew goalkeeper Tom Presthus.

Landon Donovan (forward), plus: Donovan, a cinch to make the World Cup roster, netted an insurance goal in San Jose’s 2-0 dismantling of Dallas.

Brian McBride (forward), neutral: McBride, also a World Cup lock, played well but without the punch needed to keep Columbus even with Chicago.

Josh Wolff (forward), plus: Wolff, returning from injury and looking to make the World Cup roster, added a goal in the Fire’s win over the Crew.

All totaled, out of thirteen MLS goals, U.S. World Cup candidates accounted for three goals (Donovan, Mathis, and Wolff) and three assists (Jones, Mulrooney, and Razov).