Benny Feilhaber waxed and waned during this World Cup cycle, but his current performances are placing him in U.S. national team contention at the right time.
Feilhaber started in each of Sporting’s five matches during a 15-day stretch to prove his fitness during the early stages of the campaign. His effective and energetic displays in those appearances – combined with his diligent work to help Sporting lift MLS Cup in December – strengthens his claims for inclusion in Jürgen Klinsmann’s crowded midfield setup.
The next step for Feilhaber: securing a place in the domestic-based group for the friendly against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz. next week. Feilhaber can further his pursuit of a second World Cup berth with another assured performance
The best part? Feilhaber has a high-profile supporter on his side ahead of Sporting's visit to Colorado on Saturday.
UNITED STATES
Goalkeepers
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake): zero saves in RSL’s 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy on Saturday – next match: v. Toronto FC on Saturday
Defenders
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City): rested during Sporting's 1-0 victory over San Jose on Saturday – next match: at Colorado on Saturday
Brad Evans (Seattle): omitted through injury for Sounders FC's 2-0 win at Montréal on Sunday – next match: v. Columbus on Saturday
Clarence Goodson (San Jose): 90 minutes, yellow card during the Earthquakes’ 1-0 defeat at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday – next match: v. New England on Saturday
Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy): 90 minutes in the Galaxy’s 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake on Saturday – next match: at Chivas USA on April 6
Michael Parkhurst (Columbus): 90 minutes in the Crew’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday – next match: at Seattle on Saturday
Midfielders
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake): 90 minutes, two shots in RSL's 1-1 draw with LA Galaxy on Saturday – next match: v. Toronto FC on Saturday
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC): 90 minutes, one shot, one critical pass to prompt the winner in TFC’s 1-0 victory against D.C. United on Saturday – next match: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday
Brad Davis (Houston): idle – next: at Vancouver on Saturday
Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy): 90 minutes in the Galaxy’s 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake on Saturday – next match: at Chivas USA on April 6
Maurice Edu (Philadelphia): 90 minutes, two shots in the Union’s 2-1 defeat at Columbus on Saturday – next match: v. Montréal on Saturday
Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City): 90 minutes in Sporting's 1-0 victory over San Jose on Saturday – next match: at Colorado on Saturday
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City): 90 minutes, two shots, one shot on goal during Sporting’s 1-0 victory over San Jose on Saturday – next match: at Colorado on Saturday
Michael Bradley continued his fine start to his Toronto FC career with a sumptuous pass in the buildup to Jermain Defoe's winner on Saturday.
Forwards
Clint Dempsey (Seattle): suspended for Sounders FC’s 2-0 victory at Montréal on Sunday – next match: v. Columbus on Saturday (suspended)
Eddie Johnson (D.C. United): 90 minutes, one shot in United’s 1-0 defeat at Toronto FC on Saturday – next match: v. Chicago on Saturday
Mike Magee (Chicago): 90 minutes, two shots in the Fire's 1-1 draw with New York on Sunday – next match: at D.C. United on Saturday
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose): 90 minutes, two shots in the Earthquakes’ 1-0 defeat at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday – next match: v. New England on Saturday
AUSTRALIA
Tim Cahill (New York): 90 minutes in the Red Bulls' 1-1 draw at Chicago on Sunday – next match: v. Chivas USA on Sunday
BRAZIL
Júlio César (Toronto FC): 90 minutes, two saves in TFC’s 1-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday – next match: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday
COSTA RICA
Jairo Arrieta (Columbus): 66 minutes, two shots in the Crew’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday – next match: at Seattle on Saturday
Waylon Francis (Columbus): 90 minutes in the Crew’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday – next match: at Seattle on Saturday
Giancarlo González (Columbus): 90 minutes, one shot in the Crew’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday – next match: at Seattle on Saturday
Roy Miller (New York): 90 minutes in the Red Bulls' 1-1 draw against Chicago on Sunday – next match: v. Chivas USA on Sunday
Álvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake): 90 minutes, three shots, one shot on goal, one GOAL in RSL's 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy on Saturday – next match: v. Toronto FC on Saturday
Rodney Wallace (Portland): left out of the squad (injury) for the Timbers' 2-0 defeat at Colorado on Saturday – next match: at FC Dallas on Saturday
Álvaro Saborío celebrated his 100th league appearance with a goal in Real Salt Lake's 1-1 draw with LA Galaxy on Saturday.
ENGLAND
Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC): 90 minutes, seven shots, three shots on goal, one GOAL in TFC’s 1-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday – next match: at Real Salt Lake on Saturday
HONDURAS
Victor Bernárdez (San Jose): 90 minutes in the Earthquakes’ 1-0 defeat at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday – next match: v. New England on Saturday
Boniek Garcia (Houston): idle – next match: at Vancouver on Saturday
Marvin Chávez (Colorado): 10 minutes off the bench, one shot on goal in the Rapids’ 2-0 victory over Portland on Saturday – next match: v. Sporting Kansas City on Saturday
Jerry Bengtson (New England): 45 minutes off the bench in the Revolution’s 0-0 draw with Vancouver on Saturday – next match: at San Jose on Saturday
Johnny Leverón (Vancouver): 90 minutes in the Whitecaps' 0-0 draw at New England on Saturday – next match: v. Houston on Saturday
IRAN
Steven Beitashour (Vancouver): 90 minutes in the Whitecaps' 0-0 draw at New England on Saturday – next match: v. Houston on Saturday
