USMNT Watch: Chandler Picks Up Assist, Trio Score in MLS Conference Finals

With Bruce Arena back in charge of the United States men's national team, there are sure to be a few new faces introduced to the first-team setup in the coming months. 

The first chance for some players to prove their worth to the former L.A. Galaxy manager came in the last few days during the Major League Soccer playoffs and European club action. 

Only a couple of players stood out abroad this weekend since a handful of normal starters in Europe didn't feature for their respective sides. 

One who did was the much-maligned Timothy Chandler. In addition to some good news on the pitch, transfer speculation began to swirl around one of the MLS-based players in the talent pool.

We'll have news on those stories and more below in our latest USMNT Watch. 

Timothy Chandler Picks Up Assist in Frankfurt Win 

Chandler extended his impressive form at the club level into Saturday, as he recorded a 46th-minute assist in Eintracht Frankfurt's 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. 

The right-back started the second half with a beautiful cross into the boot of Szabolcs Huszti, who put the home side in the lead. 

Chandler's case is a curious one, as he's been productive in the Bundesliga, but he's never been able to fully translate that to the international game. 

The 26-year-old might receive a chance to impress Arena at some point given his play with Eintracht Frankfurt, but one bad showing for the USMNT could cost him his international future. 

Christian Pulisic, who is a lock to be in Arena's first competitive XI if healthy, did not feature for Dortmund in the game at the Commerzbank-Arena. 

Fabian Johnson played 15 minutes off the bench in Borussia Monchengladbach's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim on Saturday. Where Johnson lines up under Arena will be interesting as well. Under Jurgen Klinsmann, he played both full-back positions and on both wings. 

Aron Johannsson, Alfredo Morales and Julian Green were not in the squads for their respective sides in Germany this weekend. 

Celtic Reportedly Interested in Darlington Nagbe

The rumor mill kicked up this week as news of Celtic's interest in Darlington Nagbe became public.

Stephen McGowan of the Scottish Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that the Scottish Premiership club were taking a look at the Portland Timbers playmaker. 

Nagbe was in attendance at Celtic Park on Wednesday for the Hoops' UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

If the move were to occur, it would be a positive for the Liberian-born midfielder. The 26-year-old would receive playing time for a top side in Europe, and he'd be able to test the waters of continental play while there.

Plenty of Americans have had success in Scotland in the past at Celtic's hated rivals, Rangers. Alejandro Bedoya, Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley all starred at Ibrox. 

In terms of his national-team stock, Nagbe needs to get in the good graces of Arena early on after his falling-out with Klinsmann toward the end of the German's time in charge. 

Nagbe will compete with Sacha Kljestan and potentially a few others such as Benny Feilhaber for the playmaker role under Arena regardless of where he plays his club soccer in 2017. 

Bob Bradley Earns 1st American Managerial Win in Premier League

Former USMNT boss Bob Bradley guided Swansea City to a thrilling 5-4 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday to become the first American manager to oversee a win in the Premier League. 

The Swans displayed Bradley's trademark never-say-die attitude as they recovered to score two late goals after going down 4-3.

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Swansea enter December in 19th place in the Premier League on nine points. However, the gap to 10th is only seven points, which means there's plenty of room for movement with another victory. 

Lynden Gooch came off the bench for an 11-minute cameo in Sunderland's 2-0 loss at Anfield to Liverpool that moved the Black Cats back down to the bottom of the table. 

The 20-year-old Gooch is one of a few young players who could help spur the generational shift in the USMNT under Arena, but he needs to find a way to get consistent playing time at the Stadium of Light. 

Brad Guzan was once again an unused substitute for Middlesbrough on Saturday, while the 18-year-old Cameron Carter-Vickers made the bench for Tottenham Hotspur's trip to Stamford Bridge.

Down in the Championship, Danny Williams and DeAndre Yedlin played the full 90 for Reading and Newcastle United respectively. 

Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Spector and Tim Ream did not play in the English second tier this weekend. 

Trio of Americans Score in MLS Conference Final 1st Legs

Jozy Altidore continued his tremendous form for Toronto FC, as he scored the first of the Reds' two away goals in the Eastern Conference Final first leg on Tuesday. 

Altidore's 68th-minute strike was followed by a Michael Bradley tally five minutes later. Toronto FC head into Wednesday's second leg down 3-2 to Montreal Impact, but they have the two away goals in their pocket. 

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Jordan Morris bagged an 18th-minute equalizer for the Seattle Sounders in their 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday. USMNT prospect Cristian Roldan set up the goal. Roldan should be called into the annual January camp given his recent form in the middle of the park. 

The Sounders will face Jermaine Jones and the Rapids in the second leg of the Western Conference Final on Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. 

Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter: @JTansey90.