USMNT Watch: Guzan Impresses in Villa Opener, Bradley Scores in TFC Return

Everywhere you turned over the last seven days, there was news involving someone in the United States men's national team talent pool.

On the pitch, the European contingent kicked off domestic league and cup campaigns, including Brad Guzan, who impressed in between the pipes for Aston Villa. 

Off the field, plenty of comments about USMNT players as well as transfer news and rumors dominated the headlines. While Aron Johannsson's move to Werder Bremen attracted the most attention, he wasn't the only USMNT forward who switched sides this week. 

Continue reading below for a complete recap of the USMNT players in action and all the goings-on away from the playing surface in our latest USMNT Watch. 

Guzan Starts Premier League Season on Strong Note 

Guzan and the Villains traveled to Bournemouth to face the Premier League debutantes at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. With the Cherries knocking on the door in the first half, Guzan made a critical pair of saves to keep the match scoreless heading into halftime. 

The goalkeeper, who was benched near the end of last season by Villa boss Tim Sherwood, displayed plenty of confidence on both of his denials in the 1-0 Villa win. The victory also helped the Villains get off to a strong start in a season in which they may end up in the relegation race again. 

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Over at Goodison Park, Tim Howard was not so lucky in goal for Everton against another promoted side. Howard let in two strikes in the 2-2 draw with Watford, including one to Mexico international Miguel Layun.

DeAndre Yedlin was left out of the matchday squad for Tottenham Hotspur's trip to Manchester United, while Geoff Cameron and Stoke City host Liverpool on Sunday. 

Down in the Championship, Jonathan Spector, Danny Williams and Eric Lichaj all started for their respective sides. 

Bradley, Feilhaber, Beasley Score During Saturday Action in MLS 

After missing a pair of matches with a calf injury, Michael Bradley returned for Toronto FC's home tilt against Sporting Kansas City. Bradley scored the lone goal for the host Reds in the 3-1 defeat. 

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

As for the victors, they benefited from another impressive performance out of Benny Feilhaber, who picked up a goal and an assist in the first half at BMO Field. 

Down in Houston, DaMarcus Beasley netted his first goal in MLS since 2003 in the Dynamo's 2-1 Western Conference win over San Jose. Brad Davis, Will Bruin, Chris Wondolowski and Marc Pelosi all started the contest for their respective sides. 

Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Bobby Boswell and Taylor Kemp were a part of a D.C. United defense that somehow held off Montreal despite facing 25 shots at Stade Saputo. 

Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman were left out of the Real Salt Lake lineup due to the club's ridiculous schedule that features three games in three different competitions in eight days. 

Ethan Finlay and Wil Trapp both picked up starts for Columbus, while Corey Ashe featured in Orlando City's starting 11. 

Corona Sets Up Game-Winning Goal for Veracruz

Joe Corona made the most noise south of the border this weekend as he set up Veracruz's 91st-minute winner against Chiapas on Friday. Corona directed a neat ball over to Juan Angel Albin to set up the key goal at the Estadio de la Fuente. 

Michael Orozco started for Club Tijuana on Friday night in their 1-0 road win over Santos Laguna. Paul Arriola and Alejandro Guido entered as substitutes for Xolos. 

On Saturday night, Edgar Castillo earned a spot in the starting 11 for Monterrey, while Greg Garza and Ventura Alvarado were both on the bench for Atlas and Club America, respectively.

Transfer Roundup

Johannsson's move to Werder Bremen was the main story on the USMNT transfer wire this week. Although he completed his move on Wednesday, Johannsson did not feature in the club's DFB-Pokal extra-time win over Wurzburger Kickers on Saturday. 

Herculez Gomez made his return to MLS official on Thursday as he joined up with Toronto FC. The growing list of USMNT players in Toronto includes Gomez, Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Robbie Findley. 

Tim Ream was linked with a move to Queens Park Rangers from Bolton Wanderers throughout the week. On Friday, Bolton boss Neil Lennon admitted the club rejected a bid for Ream from QPR, per David Pye of the Bolton News. However, speculation began to swirl again about the defender's club home after he was left out of the matchday 18 on Saturday. 

In one of the strangest moves involving a USMNT player in recent memory, center back Shane O'Neill left the Colorado Rapids for Cypriot side Apollon Limassol. The 21-year-old was a part of the United States U23 team at the Toulon Tournament this summer, and he earned an invite to the January camp this year. 

News and Notes

Alejandro Bedoya came off the bench in the 75th minute of Nantes' first match of the 2015-16 Ligue 1 season against Guingamp.

Rubio Rubin entered in the 88th minute of Utrecht's 3-2 loss to Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. 

Eintracht Frankfurt boss Armin Veh had some interesting comments on Timmy Chandler's continued involvement with the USMNT, per Greg Seltzer of MLSSoccer.com. 

Joe Tansey covers the USMNT for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JTansey90.