By Phil Schoen

In the past, it’s been called Camp Cupcake, but the U.S. national team training sessions next month might be more like a high-fiber bran muffin as the once and future boss Bruce Arena looks to get something out of it. The January camp tends to be for players in off-season mode, from Major League Soccer clubs and Scandinavian leagues that run on a calendar year schedule. However, there are several players currently out of the loop that might be worth calling in for a look.

Hearts striker Bjorn Johnsen already has four goals to go along with two assists in his debut season in Scotland after spending the last two years at Litex Lovech in Bulgaria. Born in New York City, and raised in Raieigh, N.C., Johnsen has turned into a fan favorite, as the Edinburgh based club is even using him in their Christmas promotions. And while his father still dreams of him representing Norway, Arena might want to take a look before it’s too late.

Johnsen and Hearts captain and former DC United midfielder Perry Kitchen are waiting to find out who their next boss will be. Manager Robbie Nielsen and his top assistant left last week to take over at English League One side MK Dons. Newcastle United assistant Ian Cathro is the favorite, and could leave Tyneside for Tynecastle, perhaps taking charge as soon as this weekend’s trip to Rangers. Hearts stand third after 16 matches, two points back of second place Rangers.

It’s a similar story in Germany where German-American Andrew Wooten is the fourth leading scorer in the second tier. Wooten scored his eighth goal of the season for Sandhausen this past weekend in a 3-1 win at Nurnburg. That’s Wooten’s best goal haul since his days with Kaiserslautern’s reserves five seasons ago. Sandhausen stand eighth in the 2.Bundesliga, six points out of the promotion playoff spot.

The 27-year-old spent five seasons with 1.FCK before joining Sandhausen, located just five miles south of picturesque Heidelberg. He’s the son of a German mother and an American serviceman, and made his national team debut as a late substitute in a friendly last October against Costa Rica. As the U.S. found out in the 2014 World Cup, depth at forward is a necessity.

Two youngsters who won’t be getting a call-up from Bruce Arena for a while are Bayern Munich striker Julian Green and Sunderland winger Lynden Gooch. Green is out with a muscle injury for at least a month. And after injuring his ankle last weekend, manager David Moyes said it will be at least February before Gooch returns.

Several younger players from the U.S. under-17 team might be worth calling up after their impressive performance in this past week’s Nike Friendlies. The Yanks opened with a 7-1 thrashing of Portugal, beat Turkey 5-1 and followed it up with a championship-clinching 3-0 shutout of Brazil.

Most of the under-17 stars in the making are learning their craft in the US Development Academy system, and several of them showed they might be ready for a shot at glory soon. Toronto FC’s Ayo Akinola (4 goals, 3 assists), Atlanta United’s Andrew Carleton (4g, 1a) and Josh Sargent of St. Louis’s Scott Gallagher (4g, 2a) were among the most dangerous.

Three players are already playing abroad, including PSG’s Timothy Weah, who scored two goals off the bench for the U.S. The son of the former Balon d’Or winner George Weah has been playing for PSG’s under-19 team this season. The u17’s next tournament is the CONCACAF championship in Panama in April.

And now a look at some other on-field action:

ENGLAND

In the Championship, league leading Newcastle traveled to Nottingham Forest for a Yank vs Yank clash. De Andre Yedlin started at right back for the Magpies, while Eric Lichaj earned Man of the Match honors at left back for Forest in a 2-1 upset. Newcastle stays top, but Forest climbs to 13th with the win.

Another American matchup at Craven Cottage as Tim Ream helped Fulham to a 5-0 win over Danny Williams and Reading. Williams frustration got the better of him with a late red, though Reading stays third in the standings and Fulham climbs to 10th.

FRANCE

In Coupe de France action, Washington, D.C.-born Jordan Siebatcheu scored a hat trick for Stade de Reims in a 7-0 blowout of amateur side Villeneuve Metropole. The 20-year-old has played seven league games this year without a goal.

GERMANY

Arena was in the stands at Signal-Iduna Park to watch Christian Pulisic’s Dortmund host Moenchengladbach and Fabian Johnson in the Borussia Derby. He had to wait though, as both Americans started on the bench, stepping on for the final 10 minutes in a 4-1 Dortmund win.

The new-again U.S. coach was also in attendance to watch Bobby Wood return from his three-game red-card suspension for Hamburg. Wood came off the bench in a 2-0 relegation-zone win at Darmstadt. HSV is second-bottom after 13 rounds, but just three points from safety.

John Brooks helped Hertha Berlin to victory to stay in touch of the Bundesliga leaders with a 3-2 win at Wolfsburg. Hertha climbs to third in the Bundesliga standings.

Former Dallas phenom Weston McKennie will be out of action for Schalke’s u19s. The captain is injured with a six-week recovery period. Haji Wright is starting at forward for die Knappenschmiede, and Virginia native Nick Taitague is waiting for his 18th birthday in February to officially sign with the German club.

In other u19 action, Toni Suddoth scored his debut professional goal in a 3-1 home loss to Ingolstadt. The right back from Goppingen has already started two matches for Stuttgart’s reserve team.

ITALY

After becoming the youngest American to ever play in Serie A with his Fiorentina debut last weekend, attacker Josh Perez made the bench for the Viola in their 2-1 win over Palermo. In between, he was part of a legacy celebration as the nephew of former US great Hugo Perez was on the scoresheet in a 4-1 Primavera TIM Cup win at Juventus, as were Ianis Hagi and Federico Chiesa, the sons of the former international legends. Fiorentina now hosts Empoli in the quarterfinals December 21. And in a warning to Arena and U.S. Soccer, Perez said he was still open to a call-up from El Salvador.

MEXICO

Ventura Alvarado helped Club America reach the Liga MX final, with a 90-minute stint at right back in a 2-0 win over Necaxa. The Aguilas win 3-1 on aggregate and advance to face Tigres in the two-legged final starting December 22, after Club America returns from the Club World Cup. Forgotten national team playmaker Jose Francisco Torres came off the bench to help Tigres past William Yarbrough and Club Leon to reach the final. The Phoenix, Ariz. native spent much of the season on the America sidelines, only emerging on the final day of the regular season. However, ex-Tri boss Ricardo LaVolpe continues to count on the U.S. international in the post-season. While Alvarado will be looking to lead America to the crown, he won’t be there to defend it as a move to Santos Laguna for the Clausura season has already been announced. He will be reunited with former manager Antonio Mohamed.

  In Mexico’s Ascenso, Joe Corona played the full 90 and Fernando Arce came off the bench to help Dorados to a 1-0 win over Atlante to win the Apertura title 4-2 on aggregate. The two players are on loan from Tijuana.

NORWAY

Cole Grossman was a winner, even though he didn’t dress in Stabaek’s 2-0 home win over Jerv. It was the second leg of the pro/rel playoff against the second division side, and means Bob Bradley’s old club will be staying in Norway’s Eliteserien next year. Grossman was hurt in the 1-0 first leg road loss.

PORTUGAL

After making the bench for Porto’s cup match against Belenenses, Erik Palmer-Brown was back in action on the weekend, going 90 for Porto B in their mini-Clasico with Benfica B. the match ended 1-1. Porto B stands 12th, but is just three points above the drop zone.

SPAIN

Back in training at La Masia, Barcelona midfielder Ben Lederman might have to wait until January before he can officially play again, but he is enjoying the perks. Included among them, a seat in the Camp Nou to watch the Clasico – as he shared on twitter. (I’m pretty sure he wasn’t sitting sideways!)

Transfer Rumors

While there are always rumors about which players might be the next to dip their feet in the overseas game, this week Atlanta United has its eye on a few players that could be on their way back to American soil.

The MLS expansion franchise starts play next year and is reportedly interested in repatriating Borussia Monchengladbach winger Fabian Johnson and Fulham central defender Tim Ream. Atlanta has already signed U.S. youth international Brandon Vazquez from Mexico’s Club Tijuana.

Middlesbrough backup keeper Brad Guzan is also reportedly interested in a return to MLS.

Montreal left back Ambroise Oyongo has reportedly caught Celtic’s eye. The Scottish giants are also rumored to be interested in Portland’s Darlington Nagbe and Orlando’s Canadian striker Cyle Larin.

These are just a few of the U.S. footballers playing overseas. We will continue to shine the light on many more in the weeks and months to come. American soccer ambassadors continue to make inroads around the globe. Feel free to add your comments below to share your thoughts, shout-outs and suggestions. We’re asking for your help to correct any errors and make sure nothing important gets overlooked. So tweet to us @beINSPORTSUSA, or to me directly @PhilSchoen and use the hashtag #beINOverseas. We’ll pass it on.