When Brad Guzan keeps yet another clean sheet -- Saturday's 1-0 win at Liverpool was his third in four Premier League games for Aston Villa this season -- and still doesn't make this list, you know it has been an eventful weekend for Americans with their clubs.
Then again, Guzan's status is less in question than most in Jurgen Klinsmann's ever evolving player pool.
Despite the coach's insistence before the Yanks' Sept. 3 friendly win in the Czech Republic that the goalkeeper competition is wide open in the wake of Tim Howard's one-year international hiatus (and despite how well new No. 2 Nick Rimando played in his 45 minutes in Prague) bank on Guzan being the first name on the lineup sheet when Klinsmann picks his strongest squad, at least in the short term.
For most of the others named below, though, the immediate future is a bit fuzzier.
It's still probably safe to say that nothing that has happened over the past 10 days or so will seriously influence Klinsmann's roster selections for next month's exhibitions against Ecuador and Honduras. With those games scheduled for Oct. 10 and 14, it's still early. It's also worth nothing that those that happen to be "cooling down" here this week remain firmly in the boss' long-term plans. Things can change quickly, of course, but ups and downs are just part of the process.
Here's who is up and down this week:
Warming up
Brek Shea, M, Birmingham City (England)
Why he's here: Shea, on three-month loan from the Premier League's Stoke City, started in his Blues debut on Saturday and was lively in 67 minutes of action, picking up a first-half assist.
What this means: Still just 24, the big Texan needs minutes and should continue to get them at Birmingham, which is languishing near the bottom of England's second tier. Now it's up to him to take full advantage of what some are calling a "make-or-beak" opportunity.
Fabian Johnson, D, Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)
Why he's here: Four days after U.S. World Cup assistant Berti Vogts criticized Gladbach manager Lucien Favre for not using the versatile German-American at right wing, Johnson lined up there against Schalke on Saturday -- his first league start since arriving from Hoffenheim over the summer.
What this means: It's not like the 26-year-old's status as the Americans' first choice right defender would be in jeopardy if he wasn't playing there with his club. Still, it's clearly preferable to have Johnson -- one of Klinsmann's most valuable players -- manning the spot week-in and week-out. Johnson still has to displace Julian Korb, who missed Saturday's match because of illness, to win the job permanently. But helping his team to a 4-1 win can't hurt.
Joe Gyau, F, Borussia Dortmund
Why he's here: Although he didn't play in Dortmund's 3-1 win over Freiburg on Saturday, the 21-year-old Gyau, who made his U.S. debut against the Czechs, cracked the Bundesliga titan's game day squad for the first time this season.
What this means: Making the bench is a clear vote of confidence from manager Jurgen Klopp, and that's encouraging for a player who was always expected to spend this season toiling with Dortmund's reserves.
Clint Dempsey, M, Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Why he's here: The U.S. captain continued his fine post-World Cup form for Seattle on Friday, picking up a pretty assist in a 3-2 victory over Real Salt Lake.
What this means: If Dempsey, 32, gets his way, he'll continue with the national team through at least 2016. True, two years is an eternity at the top level. But the way he's playing lately, it would surprise nobody if the three-time Cup vet sticks around even longer than that.
Gyasi Zardes, F, LA Galaxy (MLS)
Why he's here: Despite a quiet afternoon in San Jose on Sunday, the uncapped 23-year-old has emerged as the domestic league's top American striker, scoring 15 goals so far.
What this means: Playing alongside Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane has helped the athletic, intelligent Californian improve in his second pro season, not least away from the ball. His production has prompted speculation that Zardes could receive a U.S. invite before the year is out. He could, but early 2015 is the safer bet.
Cooling Down
Jozy Altidore, F, Sunderland (England)
Why he's here: In his first game since captaining the U.S. in Prague, Altidore was an unused substitute in the Black Cats' 2-2 tie with Tottenham.
What this means: Not much as far as the national team is concerned. Klinsmann continues to compliment Altidore's ever-improving hold-up play, and expects the 24-year-old to be one of the squad's leaders this cycle. The goals for Sunderland will come, Klinsmann says. Until they do, club boss Gus Poyet can't really be faulted for leaving Altidore on the bench when his team is trailing late.
Geoff Cameron, D, Stoke City (England)
Why he's here: The rangy Boston-area native underwent hernia surgery last week, ruling him out of action for Stoke for at least the next few matches.
What this means: After not leaving the Potters during the summer transfer window, Cameron was already facing an uphill battle to break into his preferred central defense or midfield. Now that he's coming off of an injury, beating out the players ahead of him for minutes in the middle could prove even more difficult.
Julian Green, F, Hamburg (Germany)
Why he's here: The 19-year-old Brazil 2014 vet made his first career Bundesliga start Sunday, but while he produced a couple of nice moments -- a seeing-eye cross from the right wing and goal-bound shot that was blocked by a defender -- against Hannover, he was also muscled off the ball repeatedly and pulled at halftime with his team down 2-0.
What this means: Green must get stronger on the ball and he will. But you have to wonder if Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka, who started the youngster only because several regulars were injured, will hold Green's rough debut against him.