First off, I must admit, this is as much a plausible wish-list as it is an attempt to decipher Klinsmann's plan.

The coach has promised to put out the strongest squad possible, but in a third-place game, against a likely questionably-motivated opponent, directly following a 4-0 loss where nearly every player on the field failed to impress, and with approximately half of the squad soon returning to Europe to begin pre-season training, there is no way to know what this means.

American defender Ryan Malone is currently training with Stuttgart Kickers in hopes of finding a new team.

Malone was released from 3rd Liga club FC Magdeburg after a frustratingly injury-hindered initial season in Europe. Following an initial period of adjustment, which would be expected from a player just out of the college game, the central defender did finally break into the team's starting lineup in late-October.

Just when you think you begin to understand what's going on in Klinsi's mind, he manages to completely surprise you again.

After not needing to make any changes in three straight matches to begin the Copa América Centenario, the United States' coach Jürgen Klinsmann faced a dilemma with the suspension of DeAndre Yedlin, needing to come up with a new right back for the quarterfinal match against Ecuador. Everyone believed it was going to be Michael Orozco, considering he came onto the field once Yedlin picked up the red card against Paraguay and did well enough.

The German regular season is finished, however a pair of American players still have work to do in the promotion/relegation playoffs.

1./2. Bundesliga playoff

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Next weekend promises to be a nail-biter in Ligue 2 for Bob Bradley and Le Havre.

The league fixture over the weekend was a tough one for HAC as they had to go on the road to face Auxerre. However, the fourth place team worked hard to earn a 3-1 win over their opposition to guarantee that the fight for the third and final promotion spot up to Ligue 1 remained on until the final games on May 14.

The promotion picture is nearly complete for several Americans looking to push their teams to the next level of play.

One American saw his team earn the right to compete in a head-to-head playoff in Germany, although at the cost of an up-and-coming American coach, while a veteran of Denmark's top division helped his team secure their return.

Bob Bradley and Le Havre won their French Ligue 2 game over the weekend to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Time is winding down in the French second division and with only two games left in the season every point counts. Bradley and Le Havre are making sure that they they keep their promotion fight going until the end as they beat Nimes 3-1 at home to ensure they stay on the heels of third place Metz.

The approach of summer also means that promotion races across Europe are in their final stretch.

Several Americans see their teams nearing the goal of jumping to the next level or in a final struggle to make up ground on their rivals. Here's a short breakdown of the remaining promotion races for Yanks in Germany and Denmark. Bob Bradley's fight to bring Le Havre to France's top flight will be covered in a separate article.

3. Liga club FC Magdeburg has opted against extending the contract of American defender Ryan Malone.

Media reports in Germany are confirming that FC Magdeburg has decided to part ways with the 23 year-old central defender, following an unlucky first season on European soil for the Massachusetts native.