While goals aren't the only measure of success, they sure are an important one, and several Americans players are clearly on the up after getting on the score sheet for their club teams recently. That's good news for the national team, which never seems to have enough quality attackers.
Alas, goals have been frustratingly hard to come by at times for a certain Seattle Sounders rookie. But U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann has other things to worry about when it comes to how members of his player pool are faring in their day jobs, as two young defenders (and one key starter) appear mired in an uphill battle for playing time this season. Read all about it in this week's Hot List.
Warming up
Jozy Altidore, F, Toronto FC (MLS)
Why he's here: Altidore scored for the first time since returning from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months in TFC's 3-0 win over Columbus on Sunday.
What this means: More encouraging than the goal was Altidore's overall sharpness and mobility. The 26-year-old is still easing back in -- he came off the bench in each of Toronto's past two games -- but he combined expertly with strike partner Sebastian Giovinco and had a well-taken second strike called negated by an offside call.
Julian Green, F, Bayern Munich (Germany)
Why he's here: The 21-year-old German-American broke out in a big way on Saturday, when he scored a first-half hat trick in an International Champions Cup match against Inter Milan.
What this means: Green has been out of sight, out of mind for most of the past two years, but he does have genuine ability. Bayern Munich doesn't sign players who don't. That doesn't mean he'll stick with Bayern's first team or that he'll play if he does, and the club might well be open to selling him, perhaps as soon as this month. One thing is for sure: his performance in Charlotte can't hurt his chances of getting playing time somewhere this season, which is what he (and by extension, the U.S. national team) needs most.
Omar Gonzalez, D, Pachuca (Mexico)
Why he's here: The former LA Galaxy center-back has helped the Tuzos get their title defense off to a near-perfect start. He's played every minute of the young season for 3-0 Pachuca, who has conceded only one goal.
What this means: While the defender didn't make Klinsmann's cut for June's Copa America Centenario, he remains in the coach's plans. If Gonzalez continues to play well in Liga MX, a recall as soon as September -- when World Cup qualifying resumes for the U.S. -- is possible.
Christian Pulisic, M, Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Why he's here: The 17-year-old wunderkind picked up right where he left off last season, scoring a late goal against Manchester City in a recent friendly.
What this means: Despite selling several starters this summer, new arrivals (including World Cup winner Mario Gotze) combined with Dortmund's desire to bring the Pennsylvania native along slowly probably means Pulisic will again be used mostly off the bench. But with the club involved in the German Cup and Champions League in addition to its Bundesliga slate, he'll have every opportunity to earn more minutes.
Cooling down
Ventura Alvarado, D, Club America (Mexico)
Why he's here: After being an unused substitute in America's first game of the Apertura season, the onetime Aguilas regular hasn't dressed for the club's two most recent matches.
What this means: After making just six appearances in all competitions in 2016, it might be time for Alvarado to find a new club. But despite reports of a potential move to MLS, it doesn't appear the Phoenix native will return to his birth nation before the league's transfer deadline closes on Wednesday.
Brad Guzan, G, Middlesbrough (England)
Why he's here: On one hand, it's good that the national team's No. 1 keeper will remain in the Premier League, with former club Aston Villa having been relegated following a historically disastrous 2014-15. On the other, Guzan, who turns 32 next month, will almost certainly begin the new season sitting behind former Barcelona backstop Victor Valdes.
What this means: If Guzan hasn't played heading into the national team's September games at St. Vincent and the Grenadines and against Trinidad and Tobago, it could open the door for Tim Howard -- now playing every week for the Colorado Rapids following his transfer from Everton -- to win back the starting job.
Jordan Morris, F, Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Why he's here: The ballyhooed 21-year-old squandered three good chances -- two of them from point-blank range -- in the Sounders' 1-1 tie against the LA Galaxy on Sunday.
What this means: Morris remains a legitimate talent with a long, promising career ahead of him. But he's also got lots still to learn. The flaws in his game -- in particular, his decision-making and suspect left foot -- have been exposed during his first professional season.
Matt Miazga, D, Chelsea (England)
Why he's here: The New York Red Bulls academy product was an unused sub in Chelsea's first two ICC games, including Saturday's 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in Michigan. Afterward, Blues boss Antonio Conte told reporters that the center-back's immediate future was to be determined.
What this means: While Miazga denied a loan deal is currently in the works, a temporary move still makes the most sense considering it's unlikely that he'll get regular minutes for the London club, at least this season. As it stands now, it's not a great situation for the 21-year-old.