USMNT Watch: Jozy, Bradley Star for TFC, Williams Impresses at Reading
One of the top players in the United States men's national team's talent pool got a wake-up call on Saturday, when he did not see his name in the starting 11 for Toronto FC.
After the Reds completed their second-half attacking onslaught on the Orlando City defense, Jozy Altidore had two goals to his name from an 18-minute shift at BMO Field. Altidore was not the only USMNT star to shine for Greg Vanney's side, as Michael Bradley led it for the entire match.
Across the pond in England, one of the more intriguing names in the talent pool continued his impressive start to the Championship campaign at Reading. While Danny Williams isn't a lock to make the 23-man squad every time an international match rolls around, he is getting close to that territory.
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On top of the news from MLS and the top two flights in England, we have updates on USMNT-eligible players from Germany, France, Norway and Mexico in this week's USMNT Watch.
Altidore Responds to Benching with Second-Half Brace
Entering Saturday's 5-0 win over Orlando City, Altidore had one goal in the last five league matches for Toronto FC. Due to the 25-year-old's less-than-stellar form in front of goal, Vanney benched the top USMNT forward on the international depth chart to start the vital MLS clash in Toronto.
Luckily for the Reds and many American fans tuning into the match, Altidore responded with a pair of strikes against the brutal back four of the Lions.
In the 83rd minute, Altidore scored from the spot to put Toronto up by four goals. Two minutes later, he finished off a brilliant run of play started by Bradley and continued by Robbie Findley. Altidore's eighth and ninth goals of 2015 helped round out a must-win game for Toronto, which is now safely in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Bradley also shone throughout his 90-minute shift on the BMO Field pitch as he set up three of the home side's goals. The midfielder made a marauding run down the left wing in the 46th minute to set up USMNT U20 international Marco Delgado for Toronto's first goal. Bradley then went on to contribute to goals netted by Justin Morrow and Altidore.
Williams Plays Big Role in Pair of Draws for Reading
With the fixture list in the Championship already producing multiple matches in a week, Williams had to be ready to fire on all cylinders from the start of the season.
Despite Reading's disappointing early string of results that has them in 19th on three points, Williams is rounding into form at the right time. In Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, Williams slotted in a pass from Orlando Sa to hand the Royals a lead in the 49th minute.
On Saturday, the midfielder was one of the top men on the pitch in the 0-0 draw with Milton Keynes Dons.
If Williams continues to impress at the club level, he could end up in the USMNT squad as a permanent fixture. With Kyle Beckerman, 33, starting to get up there in age, Williams would be a worthwhile replacement for the Real Salt Lake man.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Tim Ream was on the Fulham bench days after his transfer from Bolton Wanderers was completed. Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) and Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest) both started for their respective sides on Saturday.
In Saturday's English Premier League action, Brad Guzan conceded two goals and made seven saves in Aston Villa's 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, while Geoff Cameron once again started at center-back for Stoke City in a 1-1 draw with Norwich.
Tim Howard had a busy day in net for Everton, but he did let in two goals in the loss to Manchester City at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Johannsson Makes First Bundesliga Start vs. Brooks' Hertha Berlin
Aron Johannsson broke into the Werder Bremen starting lineup for the first time on Friday in the side's 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin. Johannsson did not score and was lifted from the pitch in the 80th minute. John Brooks made a late cameo for the home team in the 89th minute.
Timmy Chandler came on at half-time for Eintracht Frankfurt in their 1-1 home draw with Augsburg at the Commerzbank-Arena.
Alfredo Morales started for Ingolstadt in their 4-0 blowout loss at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
In the 2. Bundesliga, Andrew Wooten picked up another start for Sandhausen, but he was unable to find the back of the net for the fourth time in league play.
Zusi Scores Stunner for Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City's Graham Zusi scored one of the top goals of the MLS weekend in the 62nd minute of his club's 3-2 loss to the Columbus Crew.
Jack McInerney, who was a member of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad, scored the winner for the Crew. Matt Besler, Wil Trapp and Michael Parkhurst all earned starts in the five-goal thriller at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus.
Chris Wondolowski scored one of San Jose's two goals on the road at RFK Stadium. The 2-0 win over DC United helped put the Earthquakes back into the Western Conference play-off discussion. Quincy Amarikwa, who has been a vital addition since being traded from Chicago in late June, assisted on Shea Salinas' 52nd-minute goal.
Dillon Serna finally earned some playing time for Colorado on Saturday night, and he rewarded the Rapids with a strike in the first minute against Chicago in the 1-0 win. Harry Shipp and Dillon Powers played for their respective clubs in the battle of MLS' two conference bottom-feeders.
Beckerman, Nick Rimando, Chad Marshall, Brad Evans and Matt Hedges all earned their normal amount of playing time in the late matches on Saturday night in the Western Conference.
Will Bruin netted a goal for Houston on Friday, while Darlington Nagbe also appeared on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw with Portland.
Sebastian Lletget and Gyasi Zardes scored for the LA Galaxy in their 5-1 romp of New York City FC on Sunday. Robbie Rogers also picked up an assist in the victory.
Quiet Week for USMNT Players in Liga MX
Outside of earning the regular time on the pitch they receive, the USMNT contingent in Mexico didn't do too much to stand out south of the border.
Michael Orozco and Paul Arriola appeared in Club Tijuana's 2-1 loss to Tigres on Saturday night. Jose Torres played 61 minutes for the victors.
Ventura Alvarado went the full 90 against Joe Corona and Veracruz. Corona was on the field for just 35 minutes.
Edgar Castillo started in Monterrey's 1-1 draw with Santos Laguna, while Miguel Ibarra saw three minutes off the bench for Club Leon in the 1-0 win over Guadalajara.
News and Notes
Alejandro Bedoya returned to the Nantes matchday squad on Saturday and featured in the final 26 minutes of his team's 1-0 win over Reims.
Cole Grossman netted his fourth goal of the season for Stabaek in the 4-2 win over Sandefjord on Saturday. Stabaek, who is coached by Bob Bradley, is in second place in the Tippeligaen after 21 matches.
Ethan Horvath earned his seventh shutout of the season for Molde in their 1-0 win over Valerenga on Sunday.
Rubio Rubin came off the bench for a 14-minute shift in Utrecht's 1-1 draw with ADO Den Haag in Eredivisie action.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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