From an American standpoint, the first full weekend of Premier League games in February marked yet another substantial move forward for American soccer players in the Premiership.

The highlight of the weekend for American soccer was undoubtedly Jozy Altidore cracking open his account in the Premier League with a goal against Manchester City.  Step back and think about the state of U.S Soccer after their dismal performance in the 2006 World Cup, and then think about the fact that a 20-year old, powerful American forward is starting, playing terrific soccer, and now scoring goals in the top league on the planet.  It's a phenomenal story, but it's not the only storyline with American ties from the weekend.

A week after Landon Donovan scored his first goal in the Premier League, Donovan got his first taste of the Merseyside derby as his Everton squad took on Liverpool in a nasty affair.  Donovan more than held his own, and as each week passes, the more likely it looks that Landon may not be coming back to MLS.

And then there's 38-year-old Brad Friedel, who is arguably the best keeper in the Premiership this season.  The Lakewood, Ohio native posted his fourth consecutive clean sheet in league play.  Two of those clean sheets have come against Arsenal and Tottenham, who are third and fifth place, respectively, in the league.

West Ham, and U.S National Team right fullback Jonathan Spector played a full 90 mintues yet again for West Ham, as he continues to seize the right-back opening on the U.S team heading into the World Cup.

Elsewehere, Wayne Rooney scored his 21st goal of the season as Manchester United stomped on Portsmouth.  Didier Drogba scored twice for Chelsea in their gigantic 2-0 win over Arsenal, and Stoke City took a huge step towards avoiding a relegation battle with a big 3-0 win over Bolton.