Over the weekend Jozy Altidore scored his 24th for AZ Alkmaar setting a record for an American player in Europe.

The previous record was set just last year by Fulham's Clint Dempsey who scored 23 goals across all competitions for the Premier League club.

Tuesday was a great day for American soccer that will have fans happy even despite recent struggles of the national team.

First, the US U-20 team qualified for the 2013 World Cup in Turkey with a convincing 4-2 win over Canada. In the victory, the Americans played attractive, skillful soccer that showed progress at the youth level. Following recent failures of the 2011 U-20 team and the 2012 U-23 team, this a good performance from this team was needed and the players delivered.

Duane Holmes has been nominated by the Football League for Championship Apprentice of the Year.

Holmes, 18, has been with Huddersfield Town since the Under-9 level and now currently stars for the club's U-18 and U-21 teams. Despite playing as a withdrawn midfielder, he is the leading scorer for the U-18 team.

United States U-20 national team head coach named Freiburg's Caleb Stanko as the team's captain for World Cup qualifying

Stanko, 19, has been a regular with the US U20 team this entire cycle where he has featured in central defense, defensive midfield, and right back.

American midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong is quietly doing very well at Buriram United in Thailand

This week, Ampaipitakwong and Buriram advanced to the 2013 AFC Champions League group stage after Buriram United defeated the Brisbane Roar on penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw in the qualifying playoff. Ampaipitakwong started and was subbed off in the 103rd minute.

Brek Shea is off to a strong start at Stoke after scoring in his first friendly for the Premier League club.

On Tuesday in a closed door friendly against Burnley, Stoke lost 2-1 but Shea provided the team's bright spot when he found the back of the net in his first game for the club.

The United States under-20 national team defeated Jamaica 2-1 on Sunday in their first tune-up friendly ahead of World Cup qualifying.

The American goals were scored by Los Angeles Galaxy forward Jose Villarreal and Santos Laguna midfielder Benji Joya. Both players are expected to be important parts of the team in World Cup qualifying and beyond should the team advance to the World Cup.

US national team midfield Mikkel Diskerud is still technically a free agent but that could be changing this week.

Sources have told YA that the Norwegian-born American is expected to sign with a European club this week.

In a very promising turn of events, US U-20 midfielder Marc Pelosi was added to Liverpool's Europa League roster for the knockout stages.

Also released is that Pelosi will wear number 44 for the tournament.

Could things have been different with Landon Donovan and Captain Carlos Bocanegra in the lineup?

Starters: