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USMNT Watch: Cameron and Howard Star on Boxing Day in Premier League
December 27, 2015
There may not have been many Americans playing across the world this weekend, but the ones who were turned in key performances for their respective sides.
During the busy Boxing Day slate of matches in the Premier League, Geoff Cameron and Tim Howard starred in victories by Stoke City and Everton.
There was also plenty of news off the pitch this week concerning players in the United States men's national team talent pool, as a top defender was sold and a young goalkeeper accepted a surprise call-up to the January camp.
Below is a recap of the top USMNT news from the past week in the latest USMNT Watch.
Cameron and Howard Star on Boxing Day
Cameron helped open the 10-game slate on Boxing Day in the Premier League, as he played a key role in Stoke City's 2-0 win over Manchester United. The 30-year-old once again started in the defensive part of the midfield for the Potters.
If Cameron continues to play in front of the back four, USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann might want to try moving him up the pitch at the international level. But given Cameron's success next to Matt Besler at the end of 2015, the Yanks need to find another standout performer in the middle of the defense before Cameron moves up the pitch.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard only made one save in Everton's 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday, but it was an important denial. In the 76th minute, Howard leaped back into his goal to get in position, and his two-handed save preserved a clean sheet. He was rewarded with a win when Tom Cleverley scored the game-winner in stoppage time.
Brad Guzan started in net for Aston Villa in their 1-1 draw with West Ham United at Villa Park. The draw moved the Villains within four points of 19th-place Sunderland. Villa visits Sunderland on January 2 in a match that could decide the club's fate.
Speaking of Sunderland, DeAndre Yedlin was not in the 18 for the Black Cats' 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.
Spector, Ream, Hyndman See Action in Championship
Down in the second tier of English football, a few USMNT-eligible players started for their respective sides on Boxing Day.
Jonathan Spector, who was called in this fall as a full-back, started at center-back for Birmingham City in their 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Tim Ream and Emerson Hyndman found their way into the Fulham starting 11 again Saturday. Ream didn't have a good day, as he scored an own goal in the 53rd minute of the Cottagers' 2-0 loss to Derby County.
Danny Williams also came out on the losing end of his match on Boxing Day, as Reading dropped a 1-0 result to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Duane Holmes and Cody Cropper did not feature for Huddersfield Town and MK Dons on Saturday.
Omar Gonzalez Transfers to Pachuca
The LA Galaxy made plenty of noise Tuesday, when they sold USMNT center-back Omar Gonzalez to Club Pachuca in Liga MX.
The move should help Gonzalez further his career as he attempts to get back into Klinsmann's starting 11 on a consistent basis. If he improves in Mexico in 2016, he could supplant Cameron next to Besler and allow Cameron to move into the defensive midfield.
As for how this affects Gyasi Zardes and the USMNT contingent at the Galaxy, they will be going through a rebuilding process over the offseason, but expect the club to contend for the postseason once again.
Jesse Gonzalez Reportedly Called into January Camp
USMNT fans received a surprising present on Thursday, as Goal.com's Ives Galarcep reported FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez accepted a call-up to the January camp.
Bringing in the 20-year-old and securing a potential one-time switch from Mexico would be a major coup for Klinsmann. Gonzalez shined during the back end of the 2015 Major League Soccer season for FC Dallas before the club was eliminated by the Portland Timbers in the Western Conference final.
If Gonzalez decides to commit to the Yanks, he will have plenty of competition at the U23 level. Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen and Cropper are just three of the top players at the position at the moment.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.