USMNT Watch: Jozy Altidore Heating Up at Perfect Time for Toronto FC
Saturday was a terrific night in Major League Soccer for the United States men's national team contingent.
The performance that stuck out the most came from Jozy Altidore, who is working his way back to full fitness for Toronto FC. If he keeps up his current scoring form, the 26-year-old should be a key fixture in the USMNT's September CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.
Outside of MLS, only a few Americans had successful weekends, but none of them thrived as much as the group of players plying their respective trades in North America.
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Continue reading below for more on Altidore and the other top USMNT stories from the last week.
Jozy Altidore Continues Hot Form on Strong Night for Americans in MLS
Altidore extended his terrific scoring run of late on Saturday in Toronto FC's 3-1 win over Philadelphia at Talen Energy Stadium.
The top forward on the USMNT depth chart used his physical presence to easily round defenders at the top of the box to net his fourth tally in five matches.
Altidore's form comes at the perfect time for club and country. Toronto is one point behind New York City FC in the race for first in the Eastern Conference, and the USMNT has two key CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers ahead on September 2 and 6.
Michael Bradley also handed out an assist in the Toronto win, while Alejandro Bedoya played all 90 in defeat for the Union.
Ethan Finlay found the back of the net for the Columbus Crew in their 2-0 road triumph over the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. The strike followed up a brace from the winger a week ago versus NYCFC.
Matt Polster, who is one for the future in defensive midfield, picked up one of the Chicago Fire's three goals on Saturday in the club's surprising victory at Stade Saputo over the Montreal Impact.
Midfielder Benny Feilhaber contributed a goal and an assist to the Sporting Kansas City cause on Saturday as Peter Vermes' side downed Vancouver 2-0. Matt Besler and Graham Zusi both started in defense for the home side at Children's Mercy Park.
Kyle Beckerman, Matt Hedges, Walker Zimmerman and Brek Shea also featured for their respective sides during Saturday night's MLS play.
Brad Guzan Makes Middlesbrough Debut
After one week on the bench, Brad Guzan debuted in net for Middlesbrough on Sunday against Sunderland. Playing time is key for the USMNT's No. 1 goalkeeper with the pair of World Cup qualifiers in the near future.
Cameron Carter-Vickers was in the matchday XI for Tottenham Hotspur's contest with Crystal Palace on Saturday, but he did not feature for the victors at White Hart Lane.
DeAndre Yedlin, whose future appears to still be in limbo, was not included in the 18-man squad for the second consecutive week. Unlike Carter-Vickers, who appears to be staying in north London, Yedlin's status at the club seems to be unknown based off Mauricio Pochettino's early-season lineup selections.
If Yedlin does not get loaned out to another club in the Premier League, it will set back his development process after a fantastic season on loan at Sunderland. Thanks to his play under then-boss Sam Allardyce, Yedlin improved greatly on the international stage.
Geoff Cameron started on the bench for Stoke City in their 4-1 loss to Manchester City to open the Premier League weekend.
Lynden Gooch earned his second consecutive start for Sunderland on Sunday against Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.
Down in the Championship, Danny Williams went the full 90 for Reading in their 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Jonathan Spector played 76 minutes for Birmingham City, while Eric Lichaj came off the bench for a 52-minute shift for Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Tim Ream continued his spell on the bench at Fulham, as he did not start for the fourth consecutive match this season.
American Contingent in Germany Plays in DFB-Pokal First Round
Jerome Kiesewetter started and played 84 minutes for Fortuna Dusseldorf in their 3-0 road victory over Hansa Rostock in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.
Fafa Picault, who caught Jurgen Klinsmann's attention near the end of the last European season, featured for 72 minutes in St. Pauli's 3-0 win over VfB Lubeck.
Julian Green came off the bench for 24 minutes in Bayern Munich's 5-0 victory on Friday over Carl Zeiss Jena. Bayern start their Bundesliga campaign next weekend at home against Werder Bremen.
Fabian Johnson did not play for Borussia Monchengladbach in their 1-0 win on Saturday. The Foals open their league campaign at home against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
News and Notes: Jonathan Bornstein Scores for Queretaro
Jonathan Bornstein, who is quietly putting together a strong string of matches in Mexico, scored for Queretaro in their 2-1 loss to Club Leon.
William Yarbrough earned the victory in net for Club Leon in the same match at the Estadio Leon.
Michael Orozco picked up another start for Club Tijuana on Saturday, while Paul Arriola came off the bench for an eight-minute appearance for Xolos against Necaxa.
Jose Torres and Omar Gonzalez also picked up starts for their respective sides in Liga MX action on Saturday.
Perry Kitchen started and played 70 minutes for Hearts in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday, while forward Rubio Rubin remained in the starting XI for Utrecht in the Eredivisie.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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