USMNT Watch: Jozy Altidore and Mix Diskerud Nearing Moves to MLS

The big news this week involving United States men's national team stars abroad once again was on the transfer front, as Jozy Altidore and Mix Diskerud are both reported to be close to moves to Major League Soccer.

Sacha Kljestan and Bobby Wood were also in the transfer headlines, and both may be headed back to MLS themselves. Additionally, recently transferred DeAndre Yedlin began training with Tottenham this week.

There are injury updates on Joe Gyau, Jose Torres and Jonathan Spector, and young Mexican-American Ventura Alvarado clarified his national team preference this week.

Read about all that and much, much more in this week's USMNT Watch.

The Premier League Boys

Jozy Altidore was big news this week, but not for anything he did on the field. While missing Sunderland's weekend match with an illness, he was in the headlines due to news on the transfer front.

Earlier in the week, ESPN's Taylor Twellman reported that Altidore was in discussions to come back to Major League Soccer. While Twellman reported that three teams were interested, ESPN's Jeff Carlisle later reported on Sunday that Toronto FC had the inside track due to their higher position in the league's allocation rankings.

Geoff Cameron and Stoke were shellacked 3-0 by Arsenal. Cameron played 90 minutes and finished as Stoke's lowest-rated player (via WhoScored.com).

Brad Guzan and Aston Villa lost 1-0 to Leicester with Guzan making two saves.

New Tottenham signing DeAndre Yedlin wasn't a part of their squad on the weekend, but he did begin training with the squad this week.

Tim Howard (Everton) is still out injured.

Ze Germans

The Bundesliga is still on winter break, but there were a number of stories out this week. MLSsoccer.com's Greg Seltzer reported on Monday that Joe Gyau's injury setback will now have him on the Borussia Dortmund sidelines until February.

MLSsoccer.com also reported this week that out-of-favor 1860 Munich striker Bobby Wood is having difficulty finding a move due to his transfer fee. The report indicated that it is now likely he will be sent out on loan, possibly to an unnamed MLS team.

In the English Championship

Jonathan Spector's return from injury took a step forward as he made the gameday squad for Birmingham, but didn't play. Will Packwood is still out injured.

Tim Ream started and played 90 minutes at left-back for Bolton in their 1-1 draw with Leeds, finishing as the Wanderers' lowest-rated starter, according to WhoScored.com.

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Eric Lichaj played 90 minutes at left-back for Nottingham Forest in their 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

Danny Williams started and went the distance for Reading in their 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough.

Emerson Hyndman of Fulham is currently on duty with the U.S. U20s.

Duane Holmes was not in the squad for Huddersfield.

Elsewhere in Europe

Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

Along with the Jozy Altidore news, Mix Diskerud was also in the headlines on the transfer front this week. Goal.com's Ives Galarcep reported on Wednesday that Diskerud is close to signing with NYCFC.

Galarcep also reported this week that Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan is in negotiations with the New York Red Bulls.

Alejandro Bedoya and Nantes tied Metz 0-0, with Bedoya playing 90 minutes on the right wing.

The rest of the Americans playing in European leagues are on winter break.

South of the Border

Liga MX returned to action this weekend with several Americans featuring.

Michael Orozco started and went the distance for Puebla in their 2-1 win over Tijuana. Greg Garza did the same for Tijuana. Joe Corona is still out injured for the Xolos, while Herculez Gomez was an unused substitute for Puebla. Paul Arriola (Tijuana) is on duty with the U.S. U20s.

Edgar Castillo started and went the distance as Atlas beat Tigres 1-0. Jose Torres missed the match for Tigres with a herniated disc. Omar Salgado did not make the bench for Tigres.

Ventura Alvarado was a stoppage-time substitute for America in their 3-2 win over Leon. Earlier in the week the dual-national told American Soccer Now's Brian Sciaretta that he would prefer to play for the U.S., but would play for Mexico if they showed interest before the U.S. does.

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