USMNT Watch: DeAndre Yedlin Begins to Make Impact at Sunderland
Ever since he burst onto the international stage with an electric performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, fans of the United States men's national team have awaited the next big step in DeAndre Yedlin's career on the pitch.
After not seeing much time at Tottenham Hotspur last season, Yedlin secured a late loan move to Sunderland at the end of the summer transfer window.
Yedlin finally earned time on the field this week, and he took advantage of it, despite falling short as a team in the Capital One Cup.
Across the pond in Yedlin's former stomping grounds, a pair of established USMNT veterans helped their team solidify its playoff status in Major League Soccer, while a pair of full-backs made welcome returns to the starting lineup ahead of the CONCACAF Cup.
Continue reading below for details on those stories and more in the latest USMNT Watch.
DeAndre Yedlin Records First Sunderland Assist
In the grand scheme of things, Yedlin's 83rd-minute assist in Sunderland's 4-1 loss to Manchester City on Tuesday didn't mean much. But to those who have watched the youngster progress stateside, it meant the world to see a bright prospect contribute in that fashion.
Despite being down four goals, Yedlin, who started at right back, continued to push forward. Late in the match, Yedlin created the lone Sunderland strike of the contest as he found Ola Toivonen with a cross from the right wing.
After the match, the former Seattle Sounders man received praise from Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat.
“Yedlin did really well for his first game," Advocaat told the club's official website. “He needs to get to know the players better, but I was pleased with the space he found himself in and his work rate."
Thanks to his impressive outing in midweek, Yedlin earned a spot on the bench for Sunderland's Premier League match with Manchester United on Saturday. If he continues to do all the right things, Yedlin will be able to progress as a player before he heads back to White Hart Lane.
Elsewhere in England this week, Brad Guzan made nine saves for Aston Villa on Saturday, but Tim Sherwood's men fell 3-2 to Liverpool. Geoff Cameron played another 90 minutes at center back for Stoke City, while Tim Howard and Everton visit West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
Down in the Championship, Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Spector, Tim Ream and Danny Williams continued to earn their regular playing time at their respective clubs (Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City, Fulham and Reading).
Gboly Ariyibi, who is a member of the USMNT Olympic qualifying squad, started for Chesterfield against Burton Albion in League One on Saturday.
Fabian Johnson Returns with a Bang; Aron Johannsson Picks up Knock
Another good sign for the USMNT came on Wednesday in the form of a fifth-minute goal by returnee Fabian Johnson for Borussia Monchengladbach.
In his first game back from injury, the dynamic winger powered in the first of four goals netted by the struggling Bundesliga side in its first win of the season over Augsburg. Johnson went the full 90 on Saturday as Monchengladbach defeated Stuttgart.
Aron Johannsson did feature in Werder Bremen's midweek game, but he sat out Saturday's match with an adductor injury, per ESPN's Doug McIntyre:
While Johannsson was nursing a knock, Bobby Wood continued to impress down in the 2.Bundesliga at Union Berlin. Wood netted a tally in each of Union Berlin's matches this week to bring his season total up to four. The Over There Twitter account noted there are two Americans among the top 10 goal scorers in the 2.Bundesliga:
Alfredo Morales and Andrew Wooten received starts for their respective sides (FC Ingolstadt 04 and SV Sandhausen) in the first and second divisions on Friday.
Mario Rodriguez and Julian Green were also among the flurry of American scorers in Germany this week as both players scored on Wednesday for Borussia Monchengladbach II and Bayern Munich II.
Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley Keep Toronto FC's Playoff Momentum Alive
Things looked sketchy at the start for Toronto FC on Saturday, but the American duo of Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, along with Italian Sebastian Giovinco, helped the Reds recover from an early Chicago goal to win 3-2 at BMO Field.
Bradley bagged a 59th-minute equalizer for the home side, while Altidore slammed his 11th goal of the year home in the 85th minute to put Toronto in the lead for good.
Lee Nguyen scored a 36th-minute penalty for the New England Revolution on Saturday, but the Revs were unable to earn three points at home as they drew a depleted Philadelphia side 1-1.
Brad Davis scored the game-winning goal for the Houston Dynamo in the 47th minute against Colorado on Saturday, but the more important news out of Houston regarding the USMNT's immediate future came in the form of DaMarcus Beasley's health. Beasley impressed in his return to the squad on Wednesday and played a full 90 on Saturday.
Bill Hamid and Steve Birnbaum both fell victim to the talents of Didier Drogba on Saturday in D.C. United's 2-0 loss to Montreal.
Darlington Nagbe started for Portland in its 2-1 win over Columbus, whose starters included Wil Trapp, Ethan Finlay and Michael Parkhurst.
Brek Shea and Orlando City defeated Sacha Kljestan, Matt Miazga and the New York Red Bulls on Friday night at Red Bull Arena. Miazga was sent off for a second yellow in the second half.
A slew of USMNT starts will feature in Sunday's Western Conference tripleheader. Matt Besler, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi, Chris Wondolowski, Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando, Gyasi Zardes, Omar Gonzalez, Sebastian Lletget and Robbie Rogers will all be in action.
News and Notes: Rubio Rubin Scores for Utrecht
Rubio Rubin, who hasn't seen the pitch much for Utrecht this season, contributed a goal in the Dutch club's cup win on Wednesday. That performance helped him earn another spot in the starting lineup for Saturday's 3-3 draw with Cambuur.
In Mexico, Edgar Castillo, Jonathan Bornstein and Michael Orozco started for their respective clubs (Monterrey, Queretaro and Tijuana), while Joe Corona and Ventura Alvarado failed to receive any time for Veracruz and America, respectively.
Alejandro Bedoya started for Nantes on Saturday, but the Ligue 1 side was overmatched in the second half and fell 4-1 to Paris-Saint Germain.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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