It has been an eventful last few weeks for US Soccer, players rising, players falling and the Copa America draw among other goings on. Even some of the US of A's brightest and best players took a tumble on their foreign club teams, which would have been unthinkable if you managed to even read a headline during the last World Cup.

That player who took said tumble is none other than the Secretary of Defense, goal keeper extraordinaire, Tim Howard. Howard fell victim to injury, with his knees ailing him and causing him to miss time starting at the beginning of February. Spanish 'keeper Joel Robles stepped in and impressed Everton manager Roberto Martinez enough that Martinez announced last week that Robles would continue in the starting role. Howard has recovered and is at full fitness, but Robles is now starting Premier league competitions in addition to his FA Cup duties.

The 36-year-old's future with the Toffees had been in doubt throughout the season, as he has shown a bit of dip in form. In January rumors circulated about Howard making a return stateside as soon as next year, with Colorado a possible destination. With Howard's demotion, the national team is left with two goalies who do not feature in the starting XI for their teams. Brad Guzan of Aston Villa has regularly sat on the bench in England this season.

However there are Americans rising up in status for their international clubs. Previously we have talked about Christian Pulisic and the 17-year-old's rise in the German Bundesliga at his club Borussia Dortmund. His rise continued as last week he was moved into the starting lineup for Dormund's domestic league matchup against Bayer Leverkusen.Marco Reus came on for the young phenom in the second half, before the match was halted completely due to Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt refusing to leave after being sent off by the referee. 

Borussia Dortmund won on a goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Pulisic played well. The young American should have gotten credit for an assist, as he set up Aubameyang for a goal just before halftime. Aubameyang could not find the back of the net, although he probably should have. Nonetheless, Pulisic is making a name for himself in the German league, and producing results.

With the Copa America coming up and on the docket for the first time, the USA will have to sort out their goalie issues and quickly. Pulisic and Howard are two American whose stories will be very intriguing, unfortunately for different reasons.

Photo: Flickr/Erik Drost