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USMNT: U.S. Men’s National Team recap from MLS & abroad (+ upcoming fixtures)

Welcome back to Upper 90’s weekly USMNT recap where we keep you up to date with how the top U.S. men’s national team players are doing each week. With one more week of European matches left an American is helping his club escape the relegation fight in England. Meanwhile in MLS, one of the USMNT’s brightest prospects continues his torrid goal scoring form. Here’s everything you need to know about the how the USMNT player pool performed for their clubs this week:

MLS

Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC) – Started, played 90 minutes, and received a yellow card in a 1-0 win vs. FC Dallas. Despite drawing rave reviews for his hold-up play, Altidore is still without a goal on the season. He hasn’t scored for Toronto FC since October 25th. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – 7:30 p.m.

Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss at Colorado Rapids. It was a typical match for the RSL holding midfielder. He did his job and wasn’t involved in letting in the only goal of the match. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th at Columbus Crew – 4:30 p.m.

Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss at Houston Dynamo. Besler wasn’t at fault for either goal, but he did have a few shaky moments as far as giving away possession too easily out of the back. He had a total of 14 defensive actions in the match. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th vs. Colorado Rapids – 9:00 p.m.

Steve Birnbaum (DC United) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss vs. NYCFC. Birnbaum struggled to mark David Villa all night. He lost the striker in the box on the first NYCFC goal. It was a match to forget for the defender. Next Match: Friday, May 13th vs. New York Red Bulls – 7:00 p.m.

Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) – Started, played 90 minutes, and received a yellow card in a 1-0 win vs. FC Dallas. Bradley has transitioned to the holding midfielder role this season. His offensive contributions will suffer because of it but the team’s overall shape and performance so far has greatly benefitted. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – 7:30 p.m.

Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) – Started, played 90 minutes, and scored a goal in a 2-0 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes. The USMNT veteran tallied his second goal of the campaign in the first half with a nice finish from around the penalty spot to help his team get a big win. He was creative all match long helping his teammates get in great spots. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th at FC Dallas – 9:00 p.m.

Mix Diskerud (NYCFC) – Made the bench but did not play in a 2-0 win at D.C. United. It’s not looking good for Mix as he hasn’t started for the club in nearly a month and Frank Lampard isn’t even in the 18 yet. Next Match: Sunday, May 15th at Portland Timbers – 7:30 p.m.

Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids) – Started, played 90 minutes, scored a goal, and received a yellow card in a 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake. Jones has begun his Colorado Rapids career in unbelievable style, tallying three goals and two assists in just four matches so far this season. He looks to be in fine form as the Copa America approaches. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th vs. Sporting Kansas City – 9:00 p.m.

Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders) – Started, played 90 minutes, scored a goal, and recorded an assist in a 2-0 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes. After lending a helping hand with a secondary assist on Dempsey’s goal, the youngster went on to finish off the match with his fourth goal in his last four matches. A strike from outside the box nutmegged a defender and left the goalkeeper stranded. He has now tied the Sounders’ rookie record for goals in a season at 4. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th at FC Dallas – 9:00 p.m.

Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers) – Started, played 90 minutes, recorded an assist, and received a yellow card in a 2-1 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps. Instead of me describing to you how great he was in this match I’ll let the stats speak: 8.6 match rating (via whoscored.com), 1 assist, 2 key passes, 89% pass accuracy (53 for 59), and 19 defensive actions. He was the best player on the field. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th at FC Dallas – 9:00 p.m.

Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution) – Started and played 60 minutes in a 4-2 loss at LA Galaxy. It’s either a really bad sign or extremely coincidental that the Revs scored their two goals right after Nguyen was subbed out. We’ll have to assume coincidence since he had 6 key passes in his 60 minutes on the field. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th vs. Chicago Fire – 7:30 p.m.

Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss at Seattle Sounders. Wondolowski had a golden chance to tie the match late and gain sole possession of the golden boot lead with a penalty. He sent Stefan Frei the wrong way, but his shot hit off the post and stayed out. It was his fifth career penalty miss in 25 attempts. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th vs. Houston Dynamo – 10:30 p.m.

Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy) – Started, played 90 minutes, and recorded 2 assists in a 4-2 win vs. New England Revolution. Both assists were passes across the face of goal for Robbie Keane to tap-in to an empty net. When Zardes is paired with a fully fit Galaxy lineup they are as dynamic as they come. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th at Philadelphia Union – 7:00 p.m.

Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) – Started and played 77 minutes in a 2-0 loss at Houston Dynamo. Zusi had one shot attempt and two key passes in a rather ineffective performance. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th vs. Colorado Rapids – 9:00 p.m.

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Abroad

Ventura Alvarado (Club America) – Made the bench but did not play in a 1-1 draw at Pumas. Alvarado has been an on-again-off-again starter for Club America this season. He was likely a victim of squad rotation once again. Next Match: Two-legged tie vs. Chivas in Liga MX playoffs (Times TBA)

Alejandro Bedoya (FC Nantes) – Started, played 90 minutes, and scored a goal in a 2-1 loss vs. Caen. Bedoya got on the score sheet in the league for the first time since January with a simple finish wide open in the box off of a broken play. It’s the midfielder’s fifth goal in all competitions this season. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th at PSG – 3:00 p.m.

John Brooks (Hertha Berlin) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss vs. Darmstadt. Brooks returned to action after shaking off a recurring shin injury. He didn’t look 100 percent on the day and his lack of mobility may have cost him on Darmstadt’s opening goal as he couldn’t close down the ball to stop a cross. The loss crushes Hertha’s Champions League dreams for this season. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th at Mainz – 9:30 a.m

Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace. Playing in the center back role, Cameron was unlucky to be slightly at fault for Palace’s first goal as he was half of a second late to a touch. Otherwise, he was steady in the defensive half. Next Match: Sunday, May 15th vs. West Ham – 10:00 a.m.

Edgar Castillo (Monterrey) – Did not make the bench in a 2-1 loss at Toluca. He’s been battling a toe injury, but he also could be resting for the playoffs. Next Match: Two-legged tie vs. Tigres in Liga MX playoffs (Time TBA)

Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt) – Came off the bench, played 31 minutes, and received a yellow card in a 1-0 win vs. Borussia Dortmund. Chandler came on to help secure a vital three points for his side. They pull one point above Werder Bremen for the relegation playoff spot in the table with one match remaining. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th at Werder Bremen – 9:30 a.m.

Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca) – Did not make the bench in a 2-1 win vs. Chiapas. No reason was given for Gonzalez’s absence, but it’s likely he was resting for the upcoming playoffs as several other starters did as well. Next Match: Two-legged tie vs. Santos Laguna in Liga MX playoffs (Time TBA)

Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) – Made the bench but did not play in a 0-0 draw vs. Newcastle United. In a battle of relegation-bound sides, the most exciting thing to happen in this one was Villa fans flooding the field with inflatable balls in protest of the team’s performances this season. Next Match: Sunday, May 15th at Arsenal – 10:00 a.m.

Tim Howard (Everton) – Made the bench but did not play in a 3-1 loss at Leicester City. As scheduled by their manager, Howard will start the club’s final home match of the season before heading to MLS in the summer. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th at Sunderland – 2:45 p.m.

Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach) – Did not make the bench in a 2-1 win vs. Bayer Leverkusen. He is struggling with a groin injury but it’s not expected to be serious. Monchengladbach occupies the fourth and final Champions League spot with one match remaining. Any results other than then losing and Mainz making up a goal differential of nine will see them qualify for Europe’s top club competition next season. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th at Darmstadt – 9:30 a.m.

Matt Miazga (Chelsea) – Did not make the bench in a 3-2 loss at Sunderland. With John Terry picking up a red card, Miazga has a slight chance of playing in the club’s final two matches of the season. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th vs. Liverpool – 3:00 p.m.

Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) – Came off the bench and played 25 minutes in a 1-0 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt. After scoring three goals at two different levels in the last three weeks, it was a quiet day for the youngster. He had a few nice touches but never really got involved during his cameo. Next Match: Saturday, May 14th vs. Koln – 9:30 a.m.

Tim Ream (Fulham) – Started and played 74 minutes in a 1-0 win vs. Bolton Wanderers. Playing in his normal left back position, Ream had a solid outing against his former team. After a really rough run of form, Fulham closed the season with a clean sheet victory. They will remain in the Championship after finishing two spots above the drop zone.

Danny Williams (Reading) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-1 loss at Blackburn Rovers. Playing in an advanced role, Williams wasn’t involved in the team’s goal. He had two shots on the day with one being on target. They finished the season in 17th place, safe from relegation.

Bobby Wood (Union Berlin) – Started and played 63 minutes in a 2-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld. No shot attempts in his time on the field. He seemed really ineffective and was eventually taken off in an attempt to revitalize the attack. Next Match: Sunday, May 15th vs. Freiburg – 9:30 a.m.

DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland) – Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-2 win vs. Chelsea. Yedlin had an unlucky moment early that led to Chelsea’s first goal by rebounded from it in a big way. His great flank play and cross to Jermain Defoe played a big role in Sunderland’s game-winner. The win pulls Sunderland out of the drop zone and make them clear favorites to avoid relegation. Next Match: Wednesday, May 11th vs. Everton – 2:45 p.m.

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This post first appeared on Soccer Blog | Top Corner, please read the originial post: here

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USMNT: U.S. Men’s National Team recap from MLS & abroad (+ upcoming fixtures)

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