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USMNT Watch: Tim Howard Sits While Everton Find Form
February 7, 2016
The 2015-16 Premier League season hasn't been kind to the goalkeepers on the United States men's national team depth chart.
Things got even worse for the Yanks in the last week as Tim Howard sat out two Everton games, both of which were won by the Toffees 3-0.
Howard hasn't lost his place just yet, but if Everton continue to hit their stride with Joel Robles in net, it could mark the beginning of the end for the 36-year-old at Goodison Park.
While Howard may not have played over the last seven days, plenty of USMNT-eligible players did, including those who participated in the annual January camp.
Below is a recap of all the action involving USMNT players across the globe in our latest USMNT Watch.
Howard Watches as Toffees Find Form
Everton had one of their best weeks of the Premier League season thanks to a pair of 3-0 victories over Newcastle United and Stoke City. Howard did not dress for either match.
In place of the American, Robles earned two clean sheets and helped the Toffees move up to eighth in the league table with 35 points.
No indication was made by Everton boss Roberto Martinez that Howard would lose his spot upon his return, but there is a slight chance that could happen if Everton keep winning.
Time will tell if Howard actually parks his rear on the bench like Brad Guzan has at Aston Villa, but given his poor form this season and the skills of Robles, Howard's time on the blue half of Merseyside may be coming to an end.
Speaking of Guzan, he once again found himself on the bench on Saturday for Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Norwich City. The Villains are still in last place, but they are only four points out of 19th position.
DeAndre Yedlin made a 15-minute appearance off the bench for Sunderland in their 2-2 draw at Anfield with Liverpool.
Down in the Championship, Danny Williams went the full 90 for Reading, while Tim Ream remained on the bench for Fulham.
Pulisic Makes Second Dortmund Appearance
USMNT youth international Christian Pulisic made his second substitute appearance for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in their 0-0 draw with Hertha Berlin. The 17-year-old played 18 minutes for Thomas Tuchel's side at the Olympiastadion.
John Brooks, who signed a new deal with Hertha Berlin last week, started and played all 90 minutes for the hosts in the match.
Fabian Johnson and Borussia Monchengladbach kept pace with their rivals for the European places in the Bundesliga table with a 5-1 win over Werder Bremen on Friday. Johnson played the entire match for the sixth-place side in Germany.
Alfredo Morales made a cameo off the bench for Ingolstadt, while Timothy Chandler failed to see the pitch again for Eintracht Frankfurt.
USMNT Win Pair of Games in California
It wasn't easy on the eyes, but the USMNT pulled out a pair of victories on Sunday (Jan. 31) and Friday to end the annual January camp.
D.C. United defender Steve Birnbaum rescued a victory against Iceland at the StubHub Center on Jan. 31 as he nodded home the game-winner in the 90th minute.
Jozy Altidore stepped into the role of hero on Friday, connecting with an Ethan Finlay cross in the 89th minute to power the Yanks past Canada 1-0.
Altidore was one of the big winners of the January camp due to his renewed approach that saw him lose weight to help his style of play up top.
Kellyn Acosta, Lee Nguyen and Birnbaum were among the players who boosted their stocks ahead of the pair of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala in March.
Yarbrough Remains Active in Club Leon Net
William Yarbrough, who could be one of the top contenders for the USMNT No. 1 shirt in the near future, made six saves in Club Leon's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Monarcas on Saturday.
Despite receiving losses in his last two matches, Yarbrough has remained active in net and kept Club Leon within distance of three points.
Jorge Villafana started at left-back in Santos Laguna's 2-0 defeat to Club America. Ventura Alvarado did not play for the senior team at Club America on Saturday after featuring for the club's U20 side.
Edgar Castillo and Jonathan Bornstein earned starts for their respective sides, while Luis Gil and Joe Corona saw time off the bench this weekend in Liga MX.
News and Notes
Gedion Zelalem started and lasted 60 minutes for Rangers in their 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Alejandro Bedoya was subbed off in the 90th minute of Nantes' scoreless draw with Toulouse on Saturday at the Stadium Municipal.
Bob Bradley's Le Havre are back in action on Monday against Dijon in Ligue 2.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.