USMNT Watch: Benny Feilhaber Continues to Strengthen Case for Call-Up
When the United States released their 35-man provisional roster for October 10's CONCACAF Cup match against Mexico, one name was once again left off for mystifying reasons.
Despite having a career year in Major League Soccer with Sporting Kansas City, Benny Feilhaber hasn't received a return call-up to the red, white and blue.
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Just a few days after USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann made his roster selection, Feilhaber produced one of his best games of the year against FC Dallas.
Elsewhere across the globe, the USMNT contingent in England had a strong weekend, while plenty of others who are on the provisional CONCACAF Cup roster staked their claim for playing time in the crucial match with Mexico at the Rose Bowl.
Continue reading below for updates on all the key American players at the club level in our latest USMNT Watch.
Feilhaber Shines Bright For Sporting Kansas City
Feilhaber opened the MLS weekend in style as he bagged a brace in Sporting Kansas City's 3-1 win at Sporting Park over FC Dallas.
The owner of 41 caps for the USMNT struck a beautiful free kick into the back of the net in the 65th minute to open the scoring. Feilhaber then extended his team's lead to two in the 76th minute, with a goal from the spot.
The pair of goals highlighted a strong night for Feilhaber, who has 10 goals and 14 assists in 27 matches for Sporting KC in 2015.
Many believe Feilhaber would help fill a creative void in midfield on the international stage. If he were to be inserted into the USMNT lineup, as unlikely as it sounds right now, Feilhaber would allow Michael Bradley to take on more of a defensive role instead of constantly surging forward in an effort to create chances.
One has to wonder how long Klinsmann will ignore the brilliant form of the Sporting KC man. If Klinsmann doesn't want to use him, maybe Olympic boss Andreas Herzog could bring the Brazilian-born player to Rio de Janeiro as one of three overage players allowed on the Olympic squad.
Howard, Guzan and Cameron Turn in Decent Shifts
Both of the USMNT's star goalkeepers produced solid 90-minute shifts in the Premier League on Saturday. Tim Howard picked up his third clean sheet of the young season for Everton against Swansea City, while Brad Guzan made six saves in Aston Villa's defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
Geoff Cameron started another match at center back for Stoke City and earned solid reviews for his performance in the middle of the back four against Leicester City. With all of the chaos surrounding the center back position, Cameron's stability might help the Yanks against the dangerous Mexico attack.
Danny Williams contributed an assist for Reading in the Championship, while Tim Ream, Eric Lichaj and Jonathan Spector all earned starting nods in defense for their respective sides.
Johannsson, Morales Start Against Each Other in Bundesliga
Two of the top American players in the Bundesliga squared off against each other on Saturday. Alfredo Morales played all 90 minutes for Ingolstadt in their 1-0 win over Werder Bremen, while Aron Johannsson featured up top for 80 minutes for the losing side.
John Brooks and Fabian Johnson both remained out of their respective matchday squads on Saturday due to nagging injuries. Both are considered first-team players at the international level by Klinsmann when healthy.
Down in the 2.Bundesliga, Andrew Wooten started, but he failed to extend his terrific scoring run with another goal in Sandhausen's loss to Nurnberg. Bobby Wood featured for 90 minutes in Union Berlin's Sunday loss to Greuther Furth.
U23 forward Mario Rodriguez scored for Borussia Monchengladbach II against RW Essen. Fellow youth international Jerome Kiesewetter appeared for 72 minutes in Stuttgart II's match with Werder Bremen II.
Finlay, Wondo Score in MLS
Another player Klinsmann should seriously be considering for the senior team is Columbus winger Ethan Finlay, who scored one of the Crew's two goals in their win over D.C. United on Saturday. Bill Hamid made six saves in defeat for the Black and Red.
Chris Wondolowski scored from the spot in San Jose's 3-2 loss to New York City FC. Quincy Amarikwa also scored for the Earthquakes. Mix Diskerud played all 90 for the victors at Yankee Stadium.
Clint Dempsey dished out two assists as Seattle clinched the Cascadia Cup with a 3-0 win over Vancouver at BC Place. He connected with Gonzalo Pineda in the 71st minute and Obafemi Martins in the 82nd minute. Chad Marshall and Brad Evans featured in the Sounders' starting lineup as well.
Michael Bradley played the entire match for Toronto FC against Colorado, while Jozy Altidore exited the game in the 69th minute. The young duo of Dillon Serna and Dillon Powers started for the visiting Rapids at BMO Field.
Sebastian Lletget, Gyasi Zardes, Omar Gonzalez and Robbie Rogers started against Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando, Jordan Allen and Tony Beltran in the LA Galaxy's 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.
Sacha Kljestan and Matt Miazga were a part of the Red Bulls squad that handed Portland a 2-0 loss on Sunday.
News and Notes
Edgar Castillo was one of a few Americans to start in Liga MX this weekend. Ventura Alvarado, Miguel Ibarra, Joe Corona, Ventura Alvarado and Jose Torres all failed to crack their respective starting lineups.
Gedion Zelalem continued to earn valuable playing time with Rangers in their 2-1 win over Dumbarton on Saturday.
Rubio Rubin did not get off the bench for Utrecht in their 3-1 loss to Willem II in the Eredivisie.
Alejandro Bedoya played 90 minutes for Nantes on Sunday in their 2-0 loss to Saint-Etienne.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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