One of them is bound to get a call-up at some point, no?
A collection of American players made their case for a future US national team call-up under Jurgen Klinsmann with performances that were good enough to make the MLS Team of the Week for Matchday 7.
If they keep it up, Chris Pontius, Will Bruin, Michael Farfan and Steve Beitashour are surely all young enough to play their way into a USMNT camp eventually. Even old man Eddie Gaven, at 25, could see himself in the mix with a rejuvenating move to attacking mid.
And let's not forget to mention Kyle Beckerman, one of Klinsmann's regulars who's continued to be a rock in central midfield for RSL.
GK: Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City) — The hero of SKC’s midweek win in Vancouver. Could do nothing about the own-goal vs. Portland.
DF: Carlos Valdés (Philadelphia Union) — In the absence of captain Danny Califf, Valdés proves he's the undisputed leader of the backline.
DF: Young-Pyo Lee (Vancouver Whitecaps)— In cancelling out Dallas’ Brek Shea, showed why he’s an All-Star quality right back.
DF: Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes) — Tore up and down the right flank against RSL and served up two assists. Will USMNT come calling soon?
DF: Eric Brunner (Portland Timbers) — Match vs. Sporting was one in which he excels: physical, bruising and played in the air.
MF: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)— Plenty of hard work for an undermanned RSL side and more than a sprinkle of class, especially on his goal.
MF: Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew)— Attacking midfield suits him mighty fine and a Crew team struggling in attack desperately needed his two goals vs. Houston.
MF: Michael Farfan (Philadelphia Union) — With the spotlight shining brightly on Adu, "Marfan" proves the Union’s guiding light in attack, creating the winning goal.
FW: Patrick Nyarko (Chicago Fire) — The most effective player for the Fire in their 3-2 road win in Toronto. Scored the game-winner and set up the first goal after 25 seconds.
FW: Chris Pontius (D.C. United) — If Pontius wanted to prove to Ben Olsen that he should never be out of the starting XI, he made his point loud and clear with a hat trick.
FW: Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo) — Never stops running. Two straight games with a goal and a pinpoint assist to Brian Ching. No second-year slump for this sophomore.
Manager: John Spencer (Portland Timbers) — Nailed his personnel moves, shifting Lovel Palmer to central midfield and Diego Chara to right midfield. They made the difference in the defeat of previously perfect Sporting KC.
Honorable Mentions: Miller Bolaños (Chivas USA), Camilo (Vancouver Whitecaps), Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids), Nick DeLeon (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Kamani Hill (Colorado Rapids), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Reggie Lambe (Toronto FC), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes), Dominic Oduro (Chicago Fire), Lovel Palmer (Portland Timbers), Josh Saunders (LA Galaxy), Gonzalo Segares (Chicago Fire), Khari Stephenson (San Jose Earthquakes)
