When it comes to his roster moves, Jurgen Klinsmann sure likes to keep people on their toes. In May, he left Landon Donovan off the World Cup squad while taking a 20-year-old MLSer with two caps to his name (DeAndre Yedlin) to Brazil. Last month, Klinsmann made Stanford University's Jordan Morris the first college player called into a senior national team camp this century.
Now the U.S. coach is at it again. According to multiple sources, minor league midfielder Miguel Ibarra will be on the American squad for next month's friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras when the roll is released Sunday. The move certainly raises eyebrows, and it will undoubtedly ruffle some feathers across MLS.
What it shouldn't do, shocking as it is, is come as a complete surprise.
Before the U.S. defeated the Czech Republic earlier this month, Klinsmann told reporters in Prague that in addition to scouting Morris, he had also looked at a couple of players in the second-tier North American Soccer League.
Seems one of those was Ibarra, a lightning-quick winger who has been on a tear with Minnesota United.
But Ibarra's presence does more than fill a specific need in the Yanks' player pool. His inclusion -- even more than U.S. U-23 national teamer Morris' -- also sends the clear message that Klinsmann will leave no stone unturned when it comes to looking for talent.
Besides Ibarra, who else saw his stock rise (or fall) over the last week? With just six days to go before the full roster is revealed, here are the biggest movers.
Warming up:
Miguel Ibarra, M, Minnesota United (NASL)
Why he's here: He's fast and he's in form: The 24-year-old Californian had a goal and an assist Sunday in a 3-2 win in Ottawa, taking the club's Man of the Match award for the third consecutive week.
What this means: Klinsmann has few pure wingers at his disposal, so you can understand his thinking here. It's still astounding, though -- even if Ibarra probably won't stay in the second division much longer.
Joe Gyau, M Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Why he's here: Days after earning a spot on Dortmund's bench for the first time, Gyau made his debut off the bench in Wednesday's 2-2 Bundesliga tie with Stuttgart.
What this means: Gyau's progress this season has been as impressive as any European-based American's. Uncapped a month ago, the 22-year-old will have the opportunity to establish himself as a U.S. regular if he keeps earning minutes with one of the Bundesliga's most talented teams.
Gyasi Zardes, F, LA Galaxy (MLS)
Why he's here: Zardes scored his 16th goal of the 2014 season -- the most of any American in MLS -- in Sunday's 4-0 win over New York.
What this means: Two weeks ago, the uncapped Zardes looked like a long shot to be called in for the October games. But with as many as 30 players to be called in, word is he could be included because of Klinsmann's dearth of options up front.
Cooling down:
John Brooks, D, Hertha Berlin (Germany)
Why he's here: After failing to make Hertha's bench for two straight games, German reports suggested Monday that the 21-year-old could be released from the club.
What this means: Who knows how true these rumors are, but it's clearly not a positive development for the player who scored an unforgettable game winner against Ghana at the World Cup.
Brek Shea, M, Birmingham City (England)
Why he's here: After starting in the first two games of his three-month loan from Premier League Stoke City, Shea has been relegated to a role off the bench in consecutive matches.
What this means: He's still playing regularly, which is good. But the enigmatic 24-year-old Shea has been inconsistent so far for the Blues, mixing nice moments with unforced errors.
Tim Howard, G, Everton (England)
Why he's here: Howard has been beaten more than any Premier League keeper this season, doubling his career goals-against average and leading Toffees boss Roberto Martinez to admit his No. 1 could still be suffering from a World Cup hangover.
What this means: He's just a month into a yearlong break from national team consideration, but Howard's recent dip is troubling for U.S. fans who, like Martinez, are hoping the veteran gets back to his best in the weeks and months ahead.