Most indispensable U.S. man – Donovan? Howard? Someone else?

In the wake of Michael Ballack’s sad injury misfortune, I’m proposing a thinky question to kick-start the brain matter on a Monday morning.

(If you missed it, the German captain injured ankle ligaments in Saturday’s FA Cup final. He is the one indispensable player for Germany, the one figure who simply cannot be replaced, both for his leadership and ability.)

So, as the U.S. starts training camp today, ask yourself: what would be the greatest injury setback to the United States cause? There are three friendlies before England and America do battle in Rustenburg; Who is the one absolutely essential player, the one man the United States simply cannot afford to see crumple in the run-up?

Hint: If you get too far past Landon Donovan, Tim Howard or maybe Clint Dempsey, then go back four spaces on the big board – and lose a turn.

I would assign the order like this:

1. Landon Donovan

2. Tim Howard

3. Clint Dempsey

(Honorable mention goes to Michael Bradley and Carlos Bocanegra, in that order.)

Click forward for explanations …

No one was more influential in qualifying than Donovan, the country’s all-time leading scorer. He always seemed to supply a goal or an assist when his country needed it most. Donovan’s highly successful 10-week loan spell at Everton – before he returned to Major League Soccer and the Los Angeles Galaxy in March – and the fast start on the MLS track has him brimming with confidence. He scores. He sets up others. He’s terrific on restarts. Bottom line: they just cannot afford to lose him.

Howard has more than just ability to change games through big saves. He’s reached a career point where he’s also unimpeachably dependable on all the little stuff, and he’s a locker room presence. His backup, Marcus Hahnemann, is capable but doesn’t inspire the same confidence.

Dempsey’s "indispensability" factor is also attached to his ability as a difference maker. He can labor through a quiet evening – only to change the game in an instant with a goal. He can make something out of nothing, an ability so few U.S. players truly possess.

I know the mention of Bradley on this list will get some people in a twist. But he does hold the midfield together pretty well, and he’s the best two-way player on the roster.