IT WAS A WEEKEND for both optimism and concern among the dwindling contingent of Americans playing abroad. A few of the top players appeared to be making strides after difficult starts to the season while others might have to unexpectedly fight for playing time.

Form comes and goes but injury status is now a concern for a few more internationals and that will be worth following in the weeks ahead. Here are some of the key updates from the weekend.

Johnson returns to Starting XI

In what could be a very significant development for the United States national team, Fabian Johnson returned to the starting lineup for Borussia Monchengladbach in a 1-0 win on the road over Stuttgart on Saturday.

Johnson is one of the best American players around and to have him back playing regularly with the third-place team in the Bundesliga is significant. He was noticeably rusty in his last few appearances with the national team but if he is back playing regularly, it is welcome development.

As for the game, Johnson started in his natural midfield position and was solid but unspectacular. He completed 88% of his passes and was involved in a few scoring chances. Still, with Monchengladbach winning the game, head coach Lucien Favre may be reluctant to make any changes.

Aron Johannsson Scores

Injuries have prevented Aron Johannsson from getting into a rhythm this season but perhaps things are about to change. The Alabama-born Icelandic-American scored a nifty goal in the ninth minute of Sunday's 3-1 win over Heracles. On the play Nimanja Gudelj hit a bicycle kick which Johannsson redirected past the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

Johannsson can be an extremely dangerous weapon when he's focused and playing regularly. It will now be telling to see if he can use this goal to go on a streak similar to last season when he was one of the top goal scorers in the Eredivisie.

Alvarado continues to progress

At the end of 2014, Ventura Alvarado emerged as one of the fastest-rising American players after starting for Club America during its successful Liga MX playoff run. Now, however, Club America has a new head coach and Alvarado has to reestablish himself at the powerful Mexican club.

He appears to be on his way. Alvarado earned the start on Saturday against Tigres and the Phoenix native impressed, going a full 90 in the 1-0 win. With three points, Club America moved into fifth place and are now just two points behind leaders Club Tijuana. The season is still only four games old and America should be in contention for yet another Liga MX title.

If Alvarado can retain his starting position it will be very hard for Klinsmann to avoid calling him up in March—especially because it could prevent the Mexican national team from making a preemptive move. In January, Alvarado told ASN that if Klinsmann called him up, he'd go—but also added that if Mexico showed interest before the United States, he could end up representing El Tri.

It's going to be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Concern for Bedoya and Cameron?

Two of the most consistent U.S. internationals have found themselves in unexpected battles for playing time as both Nantes midfielder Alejandro Bedoya and Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron were benched for their respective teams over the weekend.

Bedoya eventually came on as a 75th-minute substitute in a 1-1 draw against Lille. Cameron, however, did not play in Stoke City's 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers. Both players have been regular starters for most of this season and Bedoya was even named player of the month in December for Nantes.

The season is long and things change quickly but it will interesting to see how quickly—or if—both players return to the starting lineups for their clubs.

Rough Days for Guzan and Brooks

The Bundesliga returned from winter break and John Brooks resumed his place in the starting lineup for Hertha Berlin as it visited Werder Bremen. Brooks was not at fault for either of the goals in a 2-0 loss but Hertha's defeat inched the club closer to the relegation zone as it now sits just one point clear.

Meanwhile in the Premier League, there was nothing Brad Guzan could have done to save Aston Villa in a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal. The loss dropped Aston Villa into 16th place in the Premier League and just three points clear of the drop zone.

Gyau and Garza latest injury concerns

The worst news of the week for Americans came in the form of injuries to two U.S. internationals. Earlier this week, it was reported that U.S. U-20 midfielder Emerson Hyndman would miss six weeks because of a broken collarbone. On Friday it was revealed that Borusssia Dortmund winger Joe Gyau would need a second knee surgery and could miss the remainder of the season.

Gyau initially hurt his knee in October during a U.S. national team friendly against Ecuador. After an initial surgery, he came back to Dortmund's reserve team after five weeks but was then sidelined until February. Now, a second surgery is necessary and it appears as if most of this season is lost for Gyau.

Unhappy news also surfaced regarding Club Tijuana left back Gregory Garza who was forced to leave Tijuana's 4-2 win over Morelia in the 52nd minute with a knee injury. The left back has been one of the U.S. national team's biggest breakout performers since the World Cup and he has played an important role in Tijuana's strong start as it has jumped into first place in Liga MX.

More news regarding the severity of Garza's injury is expected early this week.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.