Welcome to Upper 90’s weekly USMNT recap where we’ll be keeping you up to date with how the most important national team players are doing each week. What a week it was for Americans all over the world as two of the most promising USMNT prospects opened their pro accounts, while another veteran made his long awaited debut is fine fashion. Here’s everything you need to know about the how the U.S. Men’s National Team player pool performed for their clubs this week:
MLS
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC) Started, Played 90 minutes, and picked up a yellow card and an assist in a 1-0 win at D.C. United. In his first 90minute performance of the season Altidore was efficient in the attack, playing a big part in Toronto’s only goal. His pass before the primary assist my Marky Delgado to Giovinco was just as important. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Montreal Impact 4:00 p.m. ET
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake) Started, played 90 minutes, and received a yellow card in a 1-0 win vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps. As the scoreline suggests, Beckerman was a defensive force in the RSL midfield in a clean sheet victory. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd at LA Galaxy 10:30 p.m. ET
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) Did not make the bench Wednesday in a 2-1 loss vs. the Colorado Rapids due to a concussion. Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss at FC Dallas on Sunday. It was his first action since sustaining a concussion with the USMNT three weeks ago. Next Match: Sunday, April 24th at San Jose Earthquakes 3:30 p.m. ET
Steve Birnbaum (DC United) Started, played 90 minutes, and picked up a yellow card in a 10 loss vs. Toronto FC. His weak clearance eventually led to the only goal of the match. Other than that minor misstep he was unnoticeable in his outing. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. New England Revolution 5:30 p.m. ET
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win at D.C. United. Bradley was his usual industrial self in the win. He had several key passes and was responsible defensively in the clean sheet performance. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Montreal Impact 4:00 p.m. ET
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 win vs. the Philadelphia Union. Dempsey didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he was a nuisance all match and played more of a provider role. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Colorado Rapids 9:00 p.m. ET
Mix Diskerud (NYCFC) Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-2 loss at the Columbus Crew. Mix was unnoticeable in the match, neither involved nor at fault for any of the goals. Next Match: Wednesday, April 27th vs. Montreal Impact 7:00 p.m. ET
Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids) Started, played 90 minutes, scored a goal and had an assist in a 2-1 win vs. the New York Red Bulls. In his season and club debut for the Rapids, Jones was played in an abnormally advanced role and had a phenomenal match. He was directly involved in two goals including finishing off a centering pass for his first of the season and setting up the matchwinner with a slotted ball into the box. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Seattle Sounders 9:00 p.m. ET
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders) Started, played 82 minutes, and scored his first professional goal in a 2-1 vs. the Philadelphia Union. After seven matches Morris finally found the back of the net, latching onto a long ball, settling with a perfect first touch, and finishing to beautifully to the near post. A big moment in the youngster’s promising career. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Colorado Rapids 9:00 p.m. ET
Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers) Did not make the bench in a 3-1 win vs. the San Jose Earthquakes. He is out with a sprained ankle following a vicious Nigel de Jong tackle. He has returned to training and should be back soon. Next Match: Wednesday, April 27th vs. New England Revolution 7:30 p.m. ET
Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution) Started, played 90 minutes, and scored a goal in a 2-2 draw at Orlando City. The midfielder was his usual creative self, showing his slick passing and dribbling skills. He took a controversial penalty in the dying minutes and converted to earn his side a point. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd at D.C. United 5:30 p.m. ET
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) Started in 2 matches this week and scored two goals. Wondo had a textbook header in a 2-0 win over the Red Bulls and followed it up with a consolation stoppage time penalty kick in a 3-1 loss at Portland. He has six goals in his last seven matches. Next Match: Sunday, April 24th vs. Sporting KC 3:30 p.m. ET
Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy) Started, played 90 minutes, and scored a goal in a 4-1 win over the Houston Dynamo. Playing in his preferred striker role, he was a central figure in a comprehensive team performance. He completed his day by finishing off a tap-in from a Sebastian Lletget cross just after halftime. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. RSL 10:30 p.m ET
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) Started on Wednesday and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss vs. the Colorado Rapids. Did not make the bench on Sunday in a 2-1 loss at FC Dallas due to strep throat. Next Match: Sunday, April 24th at San Jose Earthquakes 3:30 p.m. ET
Shop the new USA Home & Away Jerseys at Upper 90 Soccer Store!
ABROAD
Ventura Alvarado (Club America) Made the bench but did not play in a 1-0 loss at Queretaro. He’s only played a part in four of the club’s nine league matches so far this season. Next Match: Wednesday, April 20th vs. Tigres 9:45 p.m. ET (CONCACAF Champions League Final 1st Leg)
Alejandro Bedoya (FC Nantes) Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss vs. Montpellier. He failed to make much of an impact in the team’s disappointing home performance. Next Match: Sunday, April 24th vs. Marseille 8:00 a.m. ET
John Brooks (Hertha Berlin) Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss at Hoffenheim. He made his first start in a month after returning from a leg injury. Brooks was near both goals conceded by Hertha, both set pieces. On the first he lost his mark attempting an offside trap and on the second a cross just flew over his head. Next Match: Wednesday, April 20th vs. Borussia Dortmund 2:30 p.m. ET
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) Plays Today vs. Tottenham Hotspur 3:00 p.m. ET
Edgar Castillo (Monterrey) Did not make the bench in a 2-1 win at Club Tijiuana. He is out with a toe injury. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Queretaro 8:00 p.m. ET
Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt) Started, played 90 minutes, and received a yellow card in a 3-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen. It was a dismal outing for the German-American who was beaten for pace on the second goal and failed to close down Karim Bellarabi on the third. This won’t help his case for a Copa America roster spot at all. Next Match: Sunday, April 24th vs. Mainz 11:30 a.m. ET
Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca) Started and played 65 minutes in a 1-0 loss at Morelia. He was pulled off the field because of an unspecified injury just after the hour mark. He was off of the field by the time the match-winner went in. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Chivas 9:00 p.m.
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss at Manchester United. A first half shot by Marcus Rashford beat Guzan for the only goal of the match. The result seals Villa’s relegation from the Premier League. The American could be looking for a new club in the summer. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Southampton 10:00 a.m. ET
Tim Howard (Everton) Made the bench but did not play in a 1-1 draw vs. Southampton. Howard is just seeing out his Everton career in a reserve role until he comes to the Colorado Rapids in the summer. Next Match: Wednesday, April 20th at Liverpool 3:00 p.m. ET
Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach) Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss at last place Hannover. BMG’s tale-spin down the table continues as Johnson was ineffective in this match alongside his whole team. They’ve gone from a Champions League spot to being in danger of missing the Europa League. Next Match: Sunday, April 24th vs. Hoffenheim 9:30 a.m. ET
Matt Miazga (Chelsea) Made the bench but did not play in a 3-0 loss to Manchester City. After starting the previous two, Miazga was relegated to the bench while his side got dominated. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Bournemouth 10:00 a.m. ET
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) Started, played 90 minutes, and scored his first professional goal in 3-0 win vs. Hamburg. What a story for the 17-year-old who started his second consecutive league match and became the fourth youngest goal scorer in Bundesliga history. A slick short corner routine saw Mats Hummels play him in after a perfect first touch he tucked in a brilliant finish to the near post. Next Match: Wednesday, April 20th vs. Hertha Berlin 2:30 p.m. ET
Tim Ream (Fulham) Started and played 90 minutes in a 5-0 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion. Ream played left back in the lopsided drubbing and was beaten badly on one of the goals conceded. A tough day at the office. Next Match: Tuesday, April 19th vs. Ipswich Town 2:45 p.m. ET
Danny Williams (Reading) Was suspended for a 3-2 loss at Leeds United. Williams served the first of a three-match suspension for violent conduct. He was charged with the violation along with his captain Paul McShane when the two were involved in a heated on-field exchange. Next Match: Tuesday, April 19th vs. Hull City 2:45 p.m. ET
Bobby Wood (Union Berlin) Started, played 90 minutes, and scored a goal in a 1-0 win vs. Heidenheimer. His eighth straight match with a goal and his 17th overall. His goal came from a corner kick in which he was left wide open in front of goal and made no mistake. Next Match: Saturday, April 23rd vs. Nurnberg 7:00 a.m. ET
DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland) Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-0 win at Norwich City. Yedlin was again calm and composed in a huge clean sheet victory to bring Sunderland within one point of Premier League safety with a game in hand on Norwich. These are great experience building moments for the young defender whether they club are able to beat the drop or not. Next Match: Sunday, April 24th vs. Arsenal 9:05 a.m. ET
1
