USMNT Watch: Wood, Wooten Score in Germany, Nagbe Earns Citizenship

As it has been since the World Cup, production from the forward position is one of the biggest problems facing the United States men's national team. 

Behind Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey on the depth chart are a bunch of young forwards who are starting to prove their worth at the club level, especially a pair plying their trade in the 2. Bundesliga. 

Although it may not be the most competitive league in the world, Andrew Wooten and Bobby Wood are earning consistent playing time and building confidence in front of goal. 

Elsewhere around the world this week, the Yanks gained a big commitment, a few center backs scored in Major League Soccer and a rising young player earned a prestigious award. 

Below in our weekly USMNT Watch is a complete roundup of Americans playing across the globe. 

Wood, Wooten Finding Form in Front of Net

Wood and Wooten endured two different fates over the last week with the USMNT; Wood saw the field against Peru and Brazil, while Wooten did not make the bench in either contest. 

Wood seems to have gained the trust of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann based on his recent playing time for the Yanks, but in order to keep that, he needs to score at the club level.

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The Hawaiian-born 22-year-old did just that for Union Berlin on Saturday as he made a marauding run down the left wing before slotting home his second strike of the season.

A day before, Wooten netted his sixth goal of the new campaign from the spot in Sandhausen's 1-1 draw with VfL Bochum. 

If both forwards continue to thrive in the German second flight in the coming weeks, they could be vital assets off the bench in the CONCACAF Cup against Mexico.

Darlington Nagbe Earns Citizenship

The moment many American fans were waiting for finally came on Thursday, when Portland Timbers playmaker Darlington Nagbe secured citizenship. 

Timbers owner Merritt Paulson announced on Twitter on Thursday that the creative midfielder became an American citizen: 

There is no doubt that Nagbe should at least earn a call-up from Klinsmann to see what he can offer. Although many are high on his game, Nagbe only has two goals and three assists in 27 matches this season in MLS.

Young Center Backs Score in MLS

A pair of American prospects who lined up at center back in MLS on Saturday scored for their respective sides. 

Steve Birnbaum, who should be on Klinsmann's radar on a permanent basis after the CONCACAF Cup, headed home a second-half equalizer in D.C. United's 1-1 draw with Colorado. 

San Jose's Fatai Alashe, who usually lines up in the middle of the park, moved to center back and turned in a decent shift against the Sounders. The highlight of his match came in the 70th minute, when he headed home Matias Perez Garcia's free kick. If he continues to trend upward, Alashe could earn a role in the Olympic team. 

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One of the top performances across the league in Week 28 came from Sacha Kljestan, who scored a goal and added an assist in the New York Red Bulls' 3-2 win over Chicago on Friday. 

After a dramatic substitution of New York City FC's stars, Patrick Mullins scored the expansion side's only goal on Saturday against FC Dallas. 

Lynden Gooch Wins Player of the Month Award

A lot of American eyes are currently watching Sunderland to see how DeAndre Yedlin performs on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, but there is another American worth watching on Wearside right now. 

Nineteen-year-old midfielder Gooch was named the Premier League U21 Player of the Month for August. Gooch also featured for the first team in the Capital One Cup during the first month of the season. 

Tim Howard did not have a busy day in net at Goodison Park in Everton's 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday. Geoff Cameron started for Stoke City at center back in the Potters' 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. 

Down in the Championship, Jonathan Spector and Eric Lichaj both earned starts for their respective sides. 

Defenders Earn Solid Amount of Playing Time in Mexico

The USMNT defensive conglomerate in Mexico had a decent week. Ventura Alvarado, Edgar Castillo, Michael Orozco and Jonathan Bornstein all earned starts this weekend. 

Greg Garza was once again the lone exception as he remained out of the matchday squad at Atlas. William Yarbrough and Miguel Ibarra also started on the bench for Club Leon. 

Paul Arriola, who is one of the USMNT forwards in the mix in Liga MX, came on as a halftime substitute and drew a penalty in the 49th minute for Club Tijuana.

News and Notes

Ethan Horvath made six saves in Molde's 4-2 win over Sandefjord in the Norwegian first division. Horvath and Molde take on Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Gedion Zelalem played 74 minutes for Rangers in their 3-0 win over Livingston. Rangers are currently in first place in the Scottish Championship. 

Alejandro Bedoya, Aron Johannsson, Brad Guzan, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley all play on Sunday.

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