AS MY ASN COLLEAGUE Brian Sciaretta pointed out in his weekly column, there hasn’t been much for American observers to get excited about across the pond. That is, unless you like cheering on faraway clubs you likely have only the most tenuous of connections to—if any at all (sick burn, Josh). Injured, out of the squad, injured, on the bench. Repeat ad infinitum. That’s how it’s been going for most Americans stationed overseas. No worries though, the international break is almost upon us. Finally…some REAL (friendly) soccer.

For those looking for some bright spots, there is always salvation domestically. This week produced more than enough highlights to hold you over until that (likely English) club you’re totally obsessed with comes back. By the way, did you see that thing Mourinho did or said? So authentic. THE PASSION. If only MLS had more blowhard managers like him.... One day, gang. One day. Until then, keep calm and watch some highlights.

CREAM OF THE CROP:

Fabian Johnson—ASN #1 For some reason, people are still trying to make “FabJo” work. It does not and please stop. Here’s a hard and fast rule of nicknames: You don’t get a good one by cramming someone’s first and last name together. I can be JD, but not JDeav. Get it? Anyway, despite withdrawing himself from national team camp this week to rehab his strained Achilles, Johnson did play over the weekend for Borussia Monchengladbach, going 70 minutes and grabbing an assist in a 1-1 draw with Mainz. Participating in a nice buildup, Johnson—playing in left midfield (Bertie Vogts is pissed)—slid a pass through traffic to Max Kruse to open the scoring in the 15th minute. Unbeaten in seven, the club sits third in the Bundesliga.

Clint Dempsey—ASN #2 Another match, another highlight reel for Dempsey, Martins, and Associates. (In case you’re wondering, Lamar Neagle is still a junior partner.) Up against the increasingly hapless Colorado Rapids on Saturday, the trio had a hand in all four goals in a 4-1 win. Dempsey added his 14th of the season off a panenka PK in the 11th minute before feeding Marco Pappa with a beautiful backheel pass in the 33rd minute—who scored on an equally beautiful chip shot over Clint Irwin to make it 3-0. In the 70th, it was Neagle with the distribution to Martins to put the match away.

GOALS ACROSS AMERICA

Jermaine Jones—ASN #3
Seven matches, three assists, and two game-winning goals. Fair to say, Jermaine Jones is having an immediate impact for the red-hot Revolution. Deadlocked with the Columbus Crew in the 68th minute, the dreadlocked Jones nodded home a free kick from Chris Tierney to give the Revs its seventh win in eight matches. New England now sits second in the Eastern Conference on 48 points and can clinch a playoff spot with a result against Montreal on Saturday. Also, did you know Jermaine is the only player in MLS with the last name "Jones." Weird, right? Lee Nguyen—ASN #28
What’s that, another Lee Nguyen goal? Don’t mind if I do. That makes it 14 on the season for the 28-year-old midfielder. Happy birthday by the way! How good has he been, you ask. Besides Clint Dempsey, which other American has a reasonable case for MLS MVP? Here’s to a future call-up.

Chris Wondolowski—ASN #32
Nineteen, 16, 27, 11, 14. That’s 87 goals in not-quite five MLS seasons. Say what you want, but not too many others can boast those kinds of audacious numbers. Despite a 2-1 loss to Portland on Saturday, one which saved the Timbers season and all-but ended San Jose’s, Wondo notched his 14th of the season off a rebound save from Donovan Ricketts—who really does have top-tier disappointed goalkeeper face, by the way. It’s a great one-two combo of stoicism and “HOLY SHIT ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” That perfectly placed cross? Off the boot of Mr. Underrated, Shea Salinas, who now has eight assists for the Earthquakes, tying a career high. On Tuesday we learned that Wondolowski would be joining national team camp for the friendly against Ecuador in place of a banged-up Julian Green.

Amobi Okugo—ASN #41
Okugo gets an A+ for his celebration after an 88th-minute go-ahead goal, which was almost immediately followed by F- goalkeeping from “World Cup™ star” and “great signing” Rais M’Bohli. The Philadelphia-Chicago tilt ended in a 1-1 draw.

back in the saddle again

Geoff Cameron—ASN #6

I'm back! All good back to full fitness, feeling good! ??????

— Geoff Cameron (@GeoffCameron) October 6, 2014

Aron Johannsson—ASN #11

Terrence Boyd—ASN #19

Officially been CLEARED!!!! Hab offiziell Grünes Licht bekommen!!!! #cyclops @DieRotenBullen pic.twitter.com/Y7iw6nQB3p

— Terrence Boyd (@TBoyd91) October 7, 2014

Danny Williams—ASN #29

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THE YOUNG’UNS:

Juan Agudelo—ASN #27
Really, you couldn’t find a short-term club for this season? You’re buying property in Cyprus to get an EU passport!? C’mon bro.

Rubio Rubin—ASN #75
As I type, I just opened a fortune cookie that reads, “A difference, to be a difference, must make a difference.” Enter 18-year-old Rubio Rubin. Getting his second consecutive start for Utrecht, Rubin played the full 90 minutes and grabbed two nice assists in a 3-2 gut-punch loss to Go Ahead Eagles (bad ass club name runner-up to “The Strongest”). Rubin is currently with the U.S. under-23 squad for a friendly match against Brazil this week. Based on Klinsmann’s comments from Monday, I wouldn’t rule out a senior team call-up for the match against Honduras on the 14th.

Tommy Thompson—ASN #78
Don’t mind me, just shoveling coal into the hype train over here. #PlayTheKids