American soccer fans were greeted by a welcome, if not anticipated as of late, surprise earlier this week.

The announcement of Bayern Munich forward Julian Green's decision to suit up for the United States national team over Germany on Tuesday has been warmly welcomed by many soccer fans across the country.

Tensions between Russia and the United States are moving from the political arena to the soccer field.

Two politicians from the State Duma are demanding FIFA kick the U.S. national team out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Aleksandr Sidyakin and Mikhail Markelov, deputies in Russia's lower house, are making the appeal to soccer's world governing body. The two are also asking FIFA to terminate the United States' membership in the organization.

American soccer fans have seen this many times when players have to make decisions on their club future.

It's easy to see these days in soccer how the right move can ignite a career, while the wrong one can (see Jozy Altidore) pull the emergency brake on ones development. Aron Johannsson's performance at AZ Alkmaar this season has turned the heads of US Soccer fans everywhere. That's all well and good, but if he is to get to that next level he must move in the summer, and that move means everything.

Nottingham Forest defender and Downers Grove, Illinois native Eric Lichaj is set to miss up to a month after reinjuring his pelvis during last weekend's match, a 4-1 loss to Wigan Athletic, according to a report by Sky Sports.

Lichaj initially hurt his pelvis against Watford on January 30th and spent most of February resting in the hopes he could avoid surgery. However, after re-injuring it in his first match back, Forest stated Lichaj might have to have hernia surgery to fix the issue.

The United States defeated South Korea 2-0 behind two goals from Chris Wondoloski.

Here are the player ratings for the game:

Thomas Dooley could soon step back into the ranks of international soccer as the head coach of the Philippines national team.

Dooley, 52, has been retired since 2000 when he finished his playing career with the Metrostarts. Before that, he played for German clubs Homburg, Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen, and Schalke. He then came to play in MLS in 1997 when he joined the Columbus Crew.

The USA played to a difficult defeat in the last game of the year, falling 1-0 to the Austrians in Vienna. Here are the player ratings:

Starting Lineup

The USA struggled moving forward against Scotland Friday, picking up a 0-0 draw against the 35th ranked side in Glasgow. Here are the player ratings:

GK Tim Howard 6.5 Made a great save to deny a dangerous free kick from Robert Snodgrass, and held the clean sheet.

Hannover captain and U.S. national team right back Steve Cherundolo may not have to look long for a job after he ends his playing career.

According to a report by the Associated Press, team president Martin Kind told the Bild newspaper that he would like the former University of Portland Pilot to stay with the team after his playing career, adding that they would find a function for him.

Brek Shea will be heading out on loan according to the British publication, the Telegraph.

Ever since joining Stoke City in January, Shea has dealt with injuries and has struggled to earn playing time. In an effort for him to see some minutes on the field, Stoke City will reportedly go out on loan to a club in the second tier Championship.