Americans Abroad: Seasons to start for contingent that's stayed overseas

Americans plying their trade overseas are set to kick off new seasons, while those in Mexico have just begun their campaigns. Liviu Bird runs down the status of Americans Abroad.

Liviu Bird | Aug 5, 2015

Americans Abroad: Seasons to start for contingent that's stayed overseas /

Plenty of the United States national team’s biggest names have migrated to Major League Soccer, but much of the player pool still plies its trade abroad. Players in Europe are in the closing stages of preparation for seasons kicking off in the next few weeks, while Liga MX began in late July.

Some are settling into new clubs, including Aron Jóhannsson, whose transfer to Werder Bremen just finalized. Others are back in familiar settings with the hope for success that a new season brings.

The next events on the U.S. calendar are September friendlies against Peru and Brazil and the Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico in October. With World Cup qualifying kicking off in the spring and the Olympics and Copa América (tentatively, anyhow) next summer, lots of players could find themselves in Jurgen Klinsmann’s plans in the near future.

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Here’s a look at the status of the vast majority of Americans abroad heading into the new season:

ENGLAND

Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)

It’s been a while since Cameron played for the national team. If he gets called in for the upcoming matches, it’ll be just under a year since he saw action in the U.S.’s 4-1 loss to Ireland in November 2014. He’s a mainstay at his club, though, which asked him to sit out the Gold Cup. Manager Mark Hughes gave him a new contract at the end of last season, and he should feature prominently for Stoke again this year.

Brad Guzan (Aston Villa)

Brad Guzan bets on himself, seizes long-awaited chance as USMNT No. 1

His solid play for the U.S. in Tim Howard’s absence notwithstanding, Guzan has been less than settled lately. Tim Sherwood sat him on the bench toward the end of Aston Villa’s 2014-15 season, setting off speculation on a transfer that didn’t materialize. Guzan is back in the No. 1 seat at Villa Park for now, with Shay Given leaving for Stoke. Howard will also be available for selection again soon, though, meaning Guzan might be relegated to the bench for the U.S.

Tim Howard (Everton)

Despite announcing that he’ll be ready to return to Klinsmann’s team in time for the September friendlies and, ultimately, qualifying for Russia 2018, Howard’s selection isn’t a given. Klinsmann showed his disdain for players taking a break when he left Landon Donovan out of the squad for Brazil, and although Donovan’s hiatus was from all soccer and not just the national team, Howard will have to show his desire and sharpness haven’t faded.

Everton plays four matches before the U.S. convenes again, including one against Manchester City.

DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)

The biggest question surrounding Yedlin’s season right now is whether he’ll stay at Spurs or go on loan to look for vital first-team playing time.

DeAndre Yedlin maintains patience waiting for his Tottenham turn

He’s played 11 league minutes since joining Tottenham, and he wasn’t even on the traveling squad for the Audi Cup in Munich in the week before the Premier League season starts.

A player can only develop so much by playing in the reserves, especially when the league is primarily for Under-21 players as it is in England, so Yedlin could find himself regressing if he can’t find minutes soon.

Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem and Tottenham’s Cameron Carter-Vickers will likely play with their clubs’ youth teams at the start of the new season, but they’re both in the mix for Olympic qualifiers in October. … In the Championship, Emerson Hyndman is expected to play a vital role in the midfield as Fulham pushes to get back to the top flight, but he is reportedly the subject of transfer interest from England, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. … Danny Williams has been drawing more interest from Klinsmann again (although was left off the Gold Cup team), but Reading reportedly would not release teammate Andrija Novakovich for the U-20 World Cup this summer. … Lynden Gooch looks set to play for Sunderland’s U-21 team again after his surprise exclusion from the U.S. U-20s. … Jonathan Spector signed a two-year contract extension at Birmingham before the last season ended, but he hasn’t played for the U.S. since its historic win in Italy in 2012. … Cody Cropper signed with MK Dons after his Southampton contract expired in a bid for playing time as he tries to break into the regular senior team picture, while likely remaining the U.S.’s No. 1 in its Olympic efforts. … Tim Ream returns to Bolton after playing in the Gold Cup, as the club has denied overtures from Queens Park Rangers for his services.

GERMANY

John Brooks (Hertha Berlin)

CONCACAF gets marquee USA-Mexico clash with Confed Cup berth on line

After showing much promise in earlier friendlies—not to mention his game-winning goal against Ghana at the World Cup—Brooks suffered in an inconsistent Gold Cup. He has been one of the Bundesliga’s best young defenders in recent years, though, and he should feature prominently again for Hertha Berlin in the upcoming season. He won’t have any easy matches for the team that just escaped relegation at the end of the previous year, but that should only serve to sharpen his abilities.

Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Chandler has never struggled for playing time in the Bundesliga, but it doesn't look like he'll start the season in Eintracht Frankfurt’s top 11 this time. Manager Armin Veh intimated that he didn't consider participating in the Gold Cup a good enough excuse to report to preseason as late as Chandler did, so he could find himself on the bench when the Bundesliga season kicks off. The right back is something of an enigma, mixing solid appearances with subpar ones, so finding a consistent level of play when he gets his opportunity again would go a long way toward cementing Klinsmann’s confidence in selecting him.

Aron Jóhannsson (Werder Bremen)

Klinsmann is a long-term hire, not one to be fired for a short-term failure

His transfer complete, Jóhannsson will now have the chance to do what fellow American striker Jozy Altidore did not: parlay success in the Dutch Eredivisie into more of the same in a major European league. German defenses won’t be as forgiving as the still-developing players in the Netherlands, so Jóhannsson will have to raise his game. He should have plenty of confidence, though, after being one of the U.S.’s most effective forwards at the Gold Cup despite scoring just once.

Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

One of the U.S.’s best players during a disappointing Gold Cup, Johnson faces a new challenge as Borussia Mönchengladbach enters the Champions League this year. He was on the Wolfsburg squad when it finished third in its group in 2009-10, but Johnson did not make an appearance. He’ll be in Mönchengladbach’s lineup more often than not again this year, and as long as he avoids injury, the 27-year-old’s experience in the world’s top club competition will only add to the breadth of experience he brings to Klinsmann’s selection.

Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt)

The Gold Cup cap-tied Morales to the U.S., as the midfielder’s start against Panama in the final match of the group stage now precludes him from playing for Germany or Peru. However, despite Morales’s continued participation in recent friendlies, his replacement with Joe Corona for the knockout round showed that he isn’t quite at the top level in Klinsmann’s mind just yet. He helped Ingolstadt win the 2. Bundesliga and earn promotion, and if he continues to see plenty of first-team action at that consistently higher level, that will only help him when he joins the U.S. team in the future.

Plenty of other Americans toil in the German lower leagues and currently sit outside the national team picture, including Andrew Wooten, who scored two goals in Sandhausen’s first match of the 2. Bundesliga season, but you never know when Klinsmann will make one of them the next surprise call-up. … Julian Green is already a known quantity, but after a tough time on loan at Hamburg from Bayern Munich last season, he needs to find a stable environment to continue his development toward being a regular first teamer. … Borussia Dortmund II midfielder Junior Flores could take himself out of contention for the U.S. soon with a one-time switch to El Salvador, which he has reportedly been considering since being left off the U-20 World Cup roster. Club teammate Joe Gyau should be ready to play by winter after setbacks lengthened his recovery from a knee injury at the end of 2014-15. … One of Gyau’s good friends, Bobby Wood, has started both of Union Berlin’s matches so far this season, assisting two goals in a wild 4-3 loss to Sandhausen in the first. … Caleb Stanko made Freiburg’s bench in the second match of the season as the just-relegated club kicked off its 2. Bundesliga campaign with two wins, while Zack Steffen played 90 minutes for the club’s second team and kept a clean sheet in the first Regionalliga Südwest match. … Russell Canouse played 90 minutes in Hoffenheim II’s 6-1 season debut in the same Regionalliga division after withdrawing from the U-20 World Cup with an ankle injury. … Mario Rodríguez came off the bench for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s reserves in their season opener, and he should feature prominently in the U.S. U-23 team’s forward line as the Americans try to qualify for the Olympics. … Terrence Boyd has not played for Red Bull Leipzig since tearing his ACL in December, and his injury recovery is still ongoing.

FRANCE

Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes)

Bedoya rejoined his club for training on Tuesday ahead of the start of the season this weekend, so he’ll likely need to regain fitness before being thrown back into the starting lineup. He also missed the end of last season with a knee injury, but Bedoya has proven himself vital to Nantes’ league efforts as well as most of the successes the U.S. has on the world stage. Assuming he gets back to regular form, he should be one of the first names on the list for the playoff against Mexico in October.

NETHERLANDS

Rubio Rubín (FC Utrecht)

Answering big questions raised by USA's stunning defeat to Jamaica

After an effective U-20 World Cup, Rubín returns to Utrecht, looking to build on the three goals he scored in 28 appearances in his first professional season. The Netherlands has long been a breeding ground for American forwards who go on to have varying success in bigger leagues, but at 19, Rubín has a bit more time to grow into the position. Continued call-ups to the national team would help, and he could be in the running for a spot on the Olympic roster.

MEXICO

Ventura Alvarado (America)

It's an important year for the 22-year-old Alvarado, who could find himself playing against the likes of Lionel Messi in the FIFA Club World Cup this December after helping America to the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League title. Along with Brooks, Alvarado appears to be part of Klinsmann's center back tandem for the future, and while he had an uneven Gold Cup, getting regular minutes for one of Liga MX's top sides (its slow start to the Apertura not withstanding) should continue his growth. He scored a goal in America's 2015-16 CCL opener against Motagua on Wednesday.

Joe Corona (Veracruz)

After Club Tijuana brought in another new manager, Corona found himself on the outs despite his history with the Xolos. The Mexican-American playmaker personified the club’s cross-border philosophy, a kid from Southern California who helped put Tijuana on the Mexican soccer map in its short existence. His loan to Veracruz at the last minute during Mexico’s annual transfer day in June didn’t go over well with the fans, but he immediately stepped into a starting role with the Tiburones Rojos as the new season kicked off.

Greg Garza (Atlas)

Garza also moved on loan from Tijuana on transfer day, which seemed peculiar given that he just signed a three-year contract extension with the Xolos a week prior. Last year was the left back's most consistent as a professional, which led to more frequent call-ups to Klinsmann’s team. He’ll need to settle in quickly and continue to get regular minutes at the first-team level to stay in Klinsmann’s favor, but he should be on the radar for the upcoming games.

Miguel Ibarra (León)

After being courted by MLS teams for a while, Ibarra instead moved to Club León. He scored his first goal for the club in Wednesday’s Copa MX draw with Atlético San Luis, which could put him back on Klinsmann’s radar for the September friendlies. Strangely, he didn’t even make the Gold Cup provisional roster after featuring frequently in a short period of time over the fall and winter.

Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana)

When Rubén Omar Romano took over as Tijuana’s manager, one of his first moves was to buy Orozco from his former club, Puebla. Orozco was an integral part of Romano’s team in 2013-14 when they worked together, and he jumped straight into the starting 11 in Tijuana as well, playing all 180 minutes of the Liga MX season so far. The move also took Orozco closer to his hometown of Orange, California, making him the latest Southern Californian to move to the club just across the border. With the unsettled U.S. central defense, his next step could be a return to the national team in a competitive environment.

William Yarbrough (León)

Yarbrough finds himself fighting for his place on the U.S. goalkeeper depth chart, more so with Howard's pending return next month. He made the Gold Cup squad ahead of MLS keepers Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson, who had been regular call-ups behind the likes of Howard, Guzan and Nick Rimando. That he's 26 helps his cause for the distant future given Guzan (30) and Howard (36) are older, but he'll need to take a serious leap to another level if he's to push either for the No. 1 job under Klinsmann.

Intermittent call-up Édgar Castillo played the full 90 minutes in Monterrey’s 3-0 loss to Pumas to open the season, as well as a 3-1 Copa MX win over Ascenso club Correcaminos UAT. … José Torres’s Tigres made it all the way to the Copa Libertadores final against River Plate, but Torres saw no action in either match; he also hasn’t been called in by the U.S. since its dos-a-cero World Cup qualifying win over Mexico in September 2013. … Club Tijuana continues to collect and keep young Mexican-Americans by the bucketload. Paul Arriola scored in the Xolos’ Copa MX win over Zacatepec in late July, and he also appeared off the bench in both of the team’s league matches so far. He replaced Alejandro Guido in one of those games, as Guido looks to have his breakout season after spending much of the past two on the bench or on loan. Fernando Arce, Jr., who chose the U.S. over Mexico even though his father played for El Tri, continues to toil with the U-20s, as does John Requejo, Jr. … Since he’s now on loan at Oaxaca instead of Chivas, Juan Pablo Ocegueda has no trouble playing for the U.S., where he’s firmly in the Olympic team picture after helping the team take third at the Toulon Tournament in June.

GALLERY: 2015 in U.S. Soccer

The Year in Photos: U.S. Soccer in 2015

U.S. U-20 vs. El Salvador, January 24

Paul Arriola (7) celebrates his goal in a World Cup qualifying playoff match vs. El Salvador. The U.S. U-20s cemented their place in the World Cup with a 2-0 win. They drew host New Zealand, Ukraine and Myanmar in their summer group.

USMNT vs. Chile, January 28

bobby-wood-chile — Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images

Bobby Wood flies high in the USA's 3-2 loss to Chile, which opened the calendar year for the national team. Brek Shea and Jozy Altidore scored in the loss.

USMNT vs. Panama, February 8

gyasi-zardes-clint-dempsey-gallery — Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Gyasi Zardes and Clint Dempsey celebrate after combining for a goal against Panama at StubHub Center to cap off winter training camp with a 2-0 victory.

USWNT vs. France, February 8

Lori Chalupny (left) and the USWNT had a tough time keeping pace with Jessica Houara (center) and France in a 2-0 loss in a friendly in Lorient. The match was the first of two played without suspended goalkeeper Hope Solo.

USWNT vs. England, February 13

Alex Morgan celebrates scoring the lone goal in the USWNT's 1-0 win over England in a friendly at Stadium mk in Milton Keynes.

USWNT vs. Norway, March 4

The USWNT opens the Algarve Cup with a 2-1 win over Norway, marking Hope Solo's return from a 30-day suspension with a come-from-behind victory. Carli Lloyd scored both goals for the Americans.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, March 6

Alex Morgan celebrates her goal in the USWNT's 3-0 win over Switzerland in the Algarve Cup group stage.

USWNT vs. Iceland, March 9

Alex Morgan and the USWNT were frustrated by Iceland, held to a 0-0 draw to wrap up group play at the Algarve Cup. The result was still enough to put the Americans in the final against France.

USWNT vs. France, March 11

uswnt-algarve-cup-podium — Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images

The U.S. women's national team celebrates winning the Algarve Cup after a 2-0 triumph over France. Julie Johnston and Christen Press scored, and Hope Solo saved a penalty kick.

U.S. U-17 vs. Jamaica, March 15

The U.S. U-17 national team celebrates qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup after defeating Jamaica on penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw in a playoff match.

USMNT vs. Denmark, March 25

nick-rimando-denmark-gallery — Lars Ronbog/FrontZoneSport/Getty Images

U.S. goalkeeper Nick Rimando expresses his frustration after one of Nicklas Bendtner's three goals in Denmark's 3-2 win over the Americans. Jozy Altidore and Aron Johannsson scored for the USA.

USMNT vs. Switzerland, March 31

Jozy Altidore watches as Brek Shea hits a perfect free kick to put the USA on the board against Switzerland. The Americans settled for a 1-1 draw.

USWNT vs. New Zealand, April 4

Lori Chalupny (16) celebrates her goal vs. New Zealand with Lauren Holiday at St. Louis's Busch Stadium. The goal opened the floodgates for a late outburst en route to a 4-0 U.S. victory in front of more than 35,000 fans.

USMNT vs. Mexico, April 15

Jordan Morris etched his name in U.S.-Mexico lore, as the Stanford University forward scored in his first senior national team start to break a scoreless draw against El Tri at the Alamodome.

USMNT vs. Mexico, April 15

Juan Agudelo collapses to the ground in celebration after his goal at the Alamodome gave the USA a familiar lead over Mexico: Dos-a-Cero.

U.S. U-23 vs. Mexico, April 22

Real Salt Lake's Luis Gil captains the USA to a 3-0 win over Mexico at StubHub Center in Olympic qualifying preparation for both CONCACAF favorites.

USWNT vs. Ireland, May 10

Abby Wambach celebrates one of her two goals vs. Ireland as the USWNT took a 3-0 win on Mother's Day at Avaya Stadium.

USWNT vs. Mexico, May 17

Sydney Leroux is congratulated by her teammates after one of her two goals in a 5-1 pre-World Cup rout of Mexico at StubHub Center.

U.S. U-20 vs. Myanmar, May 30

Maki Tall celebrates his equalizer for the USA as part of a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Myanmar to open the U-20 World Cup group stage in New Zealand.

USWNT vs. South Korea, May 30

Carli Lloyd gets off a shot through traffic in the USA's final World Cup send-off friendly, a 0-0 draw against South Korea at Red Bull Arena.

U.S. U-23 in Toulon Tournament, May-June

Alonso Hernandez, left, takes on Qatar, while Julian Green, right, vies for the ball against France in the Toulon Tournament as part of Olympic qualifying preparations.

U.S. U-20 vs. New Zealand, June 2

Gedion Zelalem controls the ball against New Zealand in the USA's 4-0 win that cemented a place in the U-20 World Cup knockout stage.

U.S. U-20 vs. Ukraine, June 5

From left, Joel Soñora, Gedion Zelalem and Rubio Rubin show frustration during a 3-0 loss to Ukraine that wrapped up group play in the U-20 World Cup.

USMNT vs. Netherlands, June 5

DeAndre Yedlin and Danny Williams salute each other after the latter's goal–his first international strike–brought the U.S. level with the Netherlands at 3-3 in the 89th minute.

USMNT vs. Netherlands, June 5

Bobby Wood puts the finishing touch on an epic comeback, with his 90th-minute strike capping a wild 4-3 win for the USA over the Netherlands. The USA trailed 3-1 in the 71st minute.

U.S. U-23 vs. England, June 7

Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images

USA defender Boyd Okwuonu makes a tackle on England's Duncan Watmore in the Toulon Tournament third-place game. The U.S. U-23s won 2-1, sealing their best finish in the tournament.

USWNT vs. Australia, June 8, WWC

Megan Rapinoe lets out a yell after her second goal, which sealed the USA's 3-1 win over Australia to open Group D play in the Women's World Cup.

U.S. U-20 vs. Colombia, June 10

Rubio Rubin celebrates the goal that gives the USA a 1-0 win over Colombia in the FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16. Zack Steffen's late penalty save preserved the win, as the Americans reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2007.

USMNT vs. Germany, June 10

Michael Bradley was everywhere against World Cup champion Germany, assisting on Mix Diskerud's equalizer and commanding the midfield in a 2-1 win in Cologne.

USMNT vs. Germany, June 10

Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

For the second straight game, Bobby Wood came off the bench and scored a stunning winner. He watches his long-range blast beat Ron-Robert Zieler in a 2-1 win over world No. 1 Germany.

USWNT vs. Sweden, June 12

Julie Johnston wins the header in a dominant showing on the U.S. back line, helping the Americans preserve a 0-0 draw against Sweden in the second game of the Women's World Cup group stage.

U.S. U-20 vs. Serbia, June 13

U.S. players' emotions say it all after a gut-wrenching loss to Serbia in penalty kicks at the U-20 World Cup. After a 0-0 draw, the Americans fell 6-5 in PKs, despite Zack Steffen's two saves in sudden death.

USWNT vs. Nigeria, June 16

Abby Wambach leaps for joy after scoring in the 45th minute off Megan Rapinoe's corner kick, which delivered a 1-0 win to the USA and first place in Group D of the Women's World Cup.

USWNT vs. Colombia, June 22

Alex Morgan's goal broke a 0-0 draw, provided relief after Abby Wambach's PK miss and helped the U.S. women to the World Cup quarterfinals after a 2-0 win over Colombia in the round of 16.

USWNT vs. China, June 26

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images

While Carli Lloyd (10) celebrates her goal in the distance, stalwart center backs Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn rejoice in the goal that put the USA into the semifinals of the Women's World Cup.

USWNT vs. Germany, June 30

Carli Lloyd yells in celebration after scoring the penalty that put the USA up over Germany en route to a 2-0 victory in the Women's World Cup semifinals.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, July 3

DeAndre Yedlin and Jozy Altidore, wearing special jerseys with stars-and-stripes numbers for July 4, celebrate after a Guatemala own goal gifts the USA a 1-0 lead during a 4-0 win in Nashville, Tennessee, prior to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

USWNT vs. Japan, July 5

Carli Lloyd sets the tone with a third-minute goal in the Women's World Cup final against Japan, the first of her three strikes within 16 minutes that lifted the USA to a 5-2 win and its first title in 16 years.

USWNT vs. Japan, July 5

U.S. players rush the field after the final whistle, which sealed their 5-2 triumph over Japan and a record third World Cup title.

USWNT vs. Japan, July 5

Victorious, the U.S. women's national team raises the World Cup trophy for the third time, but the first in 16 years, after completing a 5-2 win over Japan in the final at Vancouver's BC Place.

USMNT vs. Honduras, July 7

Clint Dempsey leaps in celebration of his second goal in the USA's Gold Cup opener against Honduras. The Americans won 2-1, fending off a late Honduras surge to collect all three points in the start of their title defense.

USA vs. Haiti, July 10

Clint Dempsey (8) is congratulated by his teammates after a 47th-minute goal gave the USA a 1-0 win over Haiti in the Gold Cup. Gyasi Zardes, second from left, came on at halftime and assisted, and the win clinched first place in Group A.

USMNT vs Panama, July 13

Clint Dempsey, left, and Michael Bradley, right, celebrate after the latter's goal in the USA's 1-1 draw vs. Panama, which wrapped up group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

USMNT vs. Cuba, July 18

Rob Carr-Getty Images/Matthew Ashton-AMA-Getty Images/Patrick Semansky-AP

The U.S. men put on a clinic against an overmatched Cuba in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, with Clint Dempsey's hat trick leading the way in a 6-0 rout. Gyasi Zardes, Aron Johannsson and Omar Gonzalez also scored.

USMNT vs. Jamaica, July 22

A downtrodden Clint Dempsey and Jurgen Klinsmann walk off the field as Jamaica celebrates a stunning 2-1 win over the USA in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals.

USMNT vs. Panama, July 25

Michael Bradley walks away in dismay after having a penalty saved in a PK shootout in the USA's loss to Panama in the Gold Cup third-place game. After a 1-1 draw, Panama prevailed 3-2 in PKs, the USA's first shootout in 10 years.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, August 16

Meghan Klingenberg waves a Terrible Towel in her hometown of Pittsburgh after scoring one of the USA's many goals in an 8-0 rout of Costa Rica in its first game since winning the 2015 Women's World Cup.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, August 19

Alex Morgan and Kelley O'Hara celebrate during a second rout of Costa Rica in three days, this one a 7-2 win in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

USA U-23 vs. England U-21, Sept. 3

U.S. U-23 goalkeeper Zack Steffen looks on in disappointment as England U-21 forward James Wilson celebrates with Duncan Watmore after scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 friendly win in England.

USMNT vs. Peru, Sept. 4

Jozy Altidore, right, is congratulated after one of his two goals that sparked the USA's come-from-behind win over Peru at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

USA U-23 vs. Qatar, Sept. 8

Gedion Zelalem made his U-23 debut off the bench in the USA's 2-0 win over Qatar in England in the final tune-up before Olympic qualifying

USMNT vs. Brazil, Sept. 8

Neymar and Marcelo celebrate while DeAndre Yedlin and Ventura Alvarado look away in disgust during Brazil's 4-1 rout of the USA at Gillette Stadium.

USWNT vs. Haiti, Sept. 17, 20

Kevin C. Cox/Duane Burleson/Getty Images

Carli Lloyd scored hat tricks in both games and NWSL Golden Boot winner Crystal Dunn scored her first international goals as the USWNT beat Haiti 5-0 and 8-0 in a pair of friendlies in Detroit and Birmingham, Alabama. Haiti replaced on-strike Australia as a last-minute opponent.

USA U-23 vs. Canada, October 1

Jerome Kiesewetter, left, and Emerson Hyndman, right, sandwich Jordan Morris after his first-minute goal in the USA's 3-1 win over Canada in their Olympic qualifying opener.

USA U-23 vs. Cuba, October 3

Cameron Carter-Vickers gets congratulated by Jerome Kiesewetter and Emerson Hyndman after opening the scoring in a 6-1 rout of Cuba in their Olympic qualifying match. The USA cemented its place in the semifinal round with the win.

USA U-23 vs. Panama, October 6

There was plenty of credit to go around, as the Americans finished off a perfect group run in Olympic qualifying with a 4-0 win over Panama. Jordan Morris and Jerome Kiesewetter came on at halftime and provided the spark needed to seize the three points.

USA U-23 vs. Honduras, October 10

Wil Trapp's reaction says it all, as the USA failed to secure an automatic berth to the 2016 Olympics after falling to Honduras 2-0 in the semifinals of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament at Real Salt Lake's Rio Tinto Stadium.

USMNT vs. Mexico, October 10

Captain Michael Bradley leads the USA out onto the field ahead of the Americans' CONCACAF Cup playoff vs. Mexico at the Rose Bowl.

USMNT vs. Mexico, October 10

Geoff Cameron beats Rafa Marquez to the spot and heads home a 15th-minute equalizer off a free kick from Michael Bradley, negating a Chicharito goal five minutes earlier in the CONCACAF Cup playoff between USA and Mexico.

USMNT vs. Mexico, October 10

U.S. forward Bobby Wood celebrates his 108th-minute goal vs. Mexico that brought the Americans level at 2-2 after Oribe Peralta had given El Tri the lead in extra time. That reprieve would only last for 10 minutes, though.

USMNT vs. Mexico, October 10

Jermaine Jones falls to his knees in disappointment as Mexico celebrates after Paul Aguilar's sensational volley in extra time captured the CONCACAF Cup for El Tri and sends the U.S. rival to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

USA U-23 vs. Canada, October 13

Marc Pelosi (15) celebrates after his goal breaks the deadlock and sends the U.S. U-23s on their way to a 2-0 win over Canada in CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying third-place game. The U.S. still has a chance to reach Rio, but it'll have to go through Colombia in a playoff.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, October 13

Tim Howard can't watch as Costa Rica players celebrate Joel Campbell's goal in a 1-0 friendly win at Red Bull Arena. The match marked Howard's return to the U.S. goal for the first time since the 2014 World Cup round of 16.

USA U-17 vs. Nigeria, October 17

Victor Osimhen scores for Nigeria in a 2-0 win over the USA in the teams' FIFA Under-17 World Cup opener in Chile.

USA U-17 vs. Croatia, October 20

USA U-17 midfielder Christian Pulisic watches his opening goal find the back of the net in the Americans' 2-2 draw with Croatia at the World Cup. The U.S. led 2-0 on Pulisic's goal and assist to Brandon Vazquez, but the European side mounted a furious rally to salvage a point.

USWNT vs. Brazil, October 21

Shannon Boxx, right, passes off the captain's armband to Carli Lloyd in her final act as a player, riding into retirement in the first half of a 1-1 draw against Brazil in Seattle.

USA U-17 vs. Chile, October 23

USA U-17 captain Hugo Arellano sits dejected after a 4-1 loss to host Chile eliminated the Americans from the World Cup in the group stage.

USWNT vs. Brazil, October 25

The USA said goodbye to two more veterans, with Lauren Holiday, left, and Lori Chalupny ending their careers during a 2-1 win over Brazil in Orlando. The team improved to 5-0-1 on its World Cup victory tour with the win.

USWNT at the White House, October 27

President Barack Obama welcomes the World Cup-champion USWNT to the White House, honoring their triumph in Canada.

USMNT vs. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, November 13

Jozy Altidore watches one of his shots head toward goal in the USA's 6-1 win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the opening of 2018 World Cup qualifying. Altidore scored twice, as the USA overcame a shocking early deficit and won at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

USMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago, November 17

Gyasi Zardes and the U.S. men were held to a 0-0 draw by Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain, closing the year with a World Cup qualifying and sitting atop Group C in the semifinal round via goal differential tiebreaker.

USWNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago, December 10

Christen Press triumphantly raises her hand after a goal during her hat trick in a 6-0 rout of Trinidad & Tobago at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

USWNT vs. China, December 13

Crystal Dunn leaves her feet to settle a pass in the USA's 2-0 win over China at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Dunn and Christen Press scored the goals.

USWNT vs. China, December 16

Abby Wambach is introduced in the U.S. lineup for the last time at the Superdome in New Orleans, playing in her final match before retiring. She ends her U.S. career with 255 appearances and an international-record 184 goals.

Published Aug 5, 2015

LIVIU BIRD

Liviu Bird is a soccer analyst with more than 20 years of experience in the game. He learned how to play in the streets of Romania before moving to the soccer wilderness of Fairbanks, Alaska, escaping to play collegiately as a goalkeeper at Highline Community College and Seattle Pacific University, where he also earned his B.A. in journalism. Bird played semiprofessionally and had tryouts at professional clubs but hung up his gloves in 2012 to focus on writing and coaching at the youth and collegiate levels. He joined Sports Illustrated in March 2013 as a freelance contributor and has also written for NBC Sports, Soccer Wire, The New York Times, American Soccer Now and the Telegraph (UK).