IF THIS PAST WEEKEND is any indication, it could be a very slow season for Americans Abroad (and the media outlets that follow them). Many Americans were left on the bench and the only non-goalkeepers who shined play in lower leagues.

Here's a recap of the positives and negatives.

Riding the pine

Looking for a theme? How about, "Americans ride the pine in Europe"? It was brutal. In Germany, John Brooks and Timothy Chandler were unused substitutes. Fabian Johnson earned second-half sub minutes for Borussia Monchengladbach... although the fact that he went a full 90 in a successful midweek Europa League match suggests he is still poised for consistent playing time.

In England, Brek Shea is still on the outside at Stoke while Geoff Cameron was an unused substitute. Jozy Altidore came on for Sunderland in the 77th minute in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday. The New Jersey native missed a significant amount of preseason following his World Cup injury and looked lively in his limited minutes against United.

Emerson Hyndman did not get off the bench for a Fulham team that is has collapsed immediately after the start of the season. Hyndman was one of Fulham’s better players at the start of the season but he hasn’t played in the last games and following Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Derby, German head coach Felix Magath might not last much longer.

One American who started on the bench but made the most of his opportunities was left back Eric Lichaj, who came on at halftime for Nottingham Forest in a 4-0 rout over Reading. Through four games Nottingham Forest is in first place in the English Championship.

As of now, the only American field player from the 2014 World Cup team that is healthy and starting regularly in Europe right now is Alejandro Bedoya, who went a full 90 and played well on Sunday for Nantes in a 1-0 loss to Monaco.

Successful weekend in Norway

Bob Bradley has done a creditable job in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, leading Stabaek to a midtable spot in his first season in Europe. Also, American imports Michael Stephens and Andrew Jacobson have done well as consistent starters.

Saturday’s win was the best of the season as Stabaek defeated defending champs Stromgodset on the road in a complete performance. Now in eighth place, Stabaek should cruise to a comfortable finish in the league.

Also in Norway, Mix Diskerud played the full 90 on Sunday for Rosenborg in a 2-0 win over Sarpsborg 08. In the final year of his contract, Diskerud will be one to watch in the months ahead—will he stick around in Norway or look to move to a more challenging league? Anybody else think me might look good in a New York City FC jersey?

Conor O’Brien’s golazo

Conor O’Brien was finally cleared to play this past week for Wiener Neustadt in the Austrian Bundesliga. In his first game against Admira Wacker, the Long Island native got off to a strong start in scoring the opening goal in a wild 5-4 win.

The goal? It was terrific. See above.

Guzan looking confident

Brad Guzan is now the first-choice keeper for the U.S. national team for at least the next year and he is playing like a goalkeeper who most national team coaches would love to have. On Saturday, he posted his second straight clean sheet to start the season in a scoreless draw against Newcastle.

It's easy to understand why Tim Howard is considered a legend by American fans but Jurgen Klinsmann probably isn’t losing too much sleep knowing Brad Guzan will be guarding the net for the foreseeable future.

South of the border

In Mexico, the usual faces are continuing to perform well. Greg Garza has emerged as a left back for Tijuana. Edgar Castillo and Atlas are off to a terrific start despite a loss on Saturday. Tijuana’s Joe Corona, Tigres’ Jose Torres, and Puebla’s Michael Orozco are earning consistent minutes for their clubs—either starting or coming off the bench.

More interesting is the progress of young American players in Mexico.

Ventura Alvarado has earned some minutes for a Club America team which appears to be the strongest in Liga MX, but he is not alone. On Saturday, former US U-20 World Cup forward Alonso Hernandez was a 62nd-minute sub for Monterrey in a 1-0 win over Puebla that saw Monterrey move into second place in Liga MX.

Also, American midfielder Alejandro Guido made his first Liga MX appearance of the season for Club Tijuana in a 1-1 draw against Pumas. The San Diego native was not called up often by U.S. U-20 head coach Tab Ramos for the 2013 cycle but more Tijuana minutes could put him into the mix for the Olympic team over the next two years.

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