USMNT Watch: Young Stars Shine at Club Level, Ream Close to Fulham Deal
While most of the focus surrounding the United States men's national team recently has been on the older players in the talent pool, there are plenty of young stars currently making names for themselves across the globe.
Over the last week, we witnessed young Americans contribute to goals in Germany, Mexico, England and the United States. On top of that, a young goalkeeper turned in an impressive showing in Norway.
As for the older group of players, one defender has been in the news due to a rumored transfer. It looks like there is no doubt Tim Ream will leave Bolton Wanderers, but his final destination may be different from what we expected a few days ago.
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We'll have all that news and more below in our latest edition of the USMNT Watch.
Morales Assists on Ingolstadt's First Bundesliga Goal
Saturday was a memorable day for Alfredo Morales and Ingolstadt. The newly promoted side that has existed for just over a decade earned its first top-flight win on Saturday over Mainz.
In the 66th minute of the clash at the Coface Arena, the USMNT midfielder provided Lukas Hinterseer with an assist on the club's first-ever strike in the Bundesliga. The 25-year-old has been a recent fixture on the USMNT roster, and he has a chance to further impress Jurgen Klinsmann with a strong run of form in the German first division.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson played 90 minutes for Borussia Monchengladbach in their 4-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and John Brooks came off the bench for Hertha Berlin. A day after losing to Dortmund, Johnson was diagnosed with a hamstring tear via a Kicker report, per Kyle Bonn at ProSoccerTalk. The injury could keep Johnson out of the September friendlies against Peru and Brazil.
Aron Johannsson made his Werder Bremen debut as a substitute in the 57th minute in the club's 3-0 defeat to Schalke.
On Friday, 25-year-old Andrew Wooten bagged a brace in Sandhausen's 6-0 victory over Paderborn. Wooten netted the opening goal in the sixth minute and added a second in the 61st minute. Wooten has started the season with five goals in three matches for the fourth-place side in the German second division.
Wooten does not have a USMNT call-up to his name, but his recent form suggests he could contribute something to the Yanks over the next year.
Bobby Wood added to the successful weekend for Americans in Germany as he scored in the 72nd minute of Union Berlin's 2-2 draw with Kaiserslautern.
Arriola Scores, Corona Picks Up Assist in Liga MX
United States U20 winger Paul Arriola handed Club Tijuana a two-goal advantage on Saturday night with a 48th-minute goal in Xolos' 3-1 victory over Cruz Azul. Arriola is one of the better young prospects in attack and could be a key part of the 2016 Olympic squad.
Joe Corona continued his impressive start at Veracruz on Friday with a superb assist over the top of the defense to Julio Furch. Also on Friday, Ventura Alvarado returned to Club America's starting lineup for the 2-0 win over Santos Laguna.
Jose Torres and Edgar Castillo picked up starts for Tigres and Monterrey, respectively, on Saturday, while Greg Garza did not feature for Atlas.
Tim Ream Close to Joining Fulham
Tim Ream could be the latest in a long line of Americans to join Championship side Fulham. According to Joe Prince-Wright of ProSoccerTalk, Ream is expected to have a last-second change of heart regarding his decision to join Queens Park Rangers and move to Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers are looking to strengthen their defense following a 17th-place finish in the Championship last season. If he ends up at Fulham, Ream would join Emerson Hyndman and Luca de la Torre as Americans at the club that was once home to Brian McBride, Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey.
Tim Howard Earns Clean Sheet, Brad Guzan Unlucky in Net
Both of the goalkeepers vying for the USMNT No. 1 shirt had solid performances during the second week of action in the English Premier League.
After dropping points at home in Week 1 to Watford, Tim Howard and Everton earned three points on the road at Southampton on Saturday. Howard made four saves in the 3-0 win.
On Friday, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa fell, 1-0, to Manchester United at Villa Park. Guzan did nothing wrong on Adnan Januzaj's 29th-minute goal, but he was caught off guard by a deflection that allowed the ball to hit the back of the net.
Geoff Cameron started at center-back in Stoke City's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. DeAndre Yedlin was once again not in Spurs' matchday squad.
Down in the Championship, Jonathan Spector and Eric Lichaj started for Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest, respectively.
Miazga Strong at the Back Again for Red Bulls
USMNT U20 center-back Matt Miazga once again impressed against a difficult opponent on Saturday as he limited the Toronto forward duo of Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco to one shot on goal at Red Bull Arena. Mike Grella and Sacha Kljestan earned assists in the 3-0 win by the New York Red Bulls.
Juan Agudelo finished off New England's win over Houston with a late strike at Gillette Stadium that was assisted by Lee Nguyen.
Benny Feilhaber handed out his league-leading 13th assist during Sporting Kansas City's come-from-behind victory over Vancouver at Sporting Park.
Nick Rimando made a trio of vital denials for Real Salt Lake, but the Claret and Cobalt were denied a point at the death by a Nat Borchers goal for visiting Portland.
Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Rogers, Sebastian Lletget, Omar Gonzalez and Matt Hedges were on the field from the start in the L.A. Galaxy's 2-1 win over FC Dallas.
News and Notes
Gedion Zelalem scored an 85th-minute winner for the Arsenal U21s on Friday against Fulham.
Ethan Horvath made seven stops in Molde's 0-0 draw with Sarpsborg 08 in Tippeligaen action on Saturday.
Alejandro Bedoya did not play for Nantes on Saturday in the Ligue 1 side's 0-0 draw with Angers.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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