There are things you think you know: the US never wins in Mexico, the US never loses to Jamaica, the playoff fields looked set in MLS, Dempsey was going to Liverpool. Then again...

USMNT Tea Leaves

So what future do you see for the Klinsmann Era? The one that might be ushered in by the historic win in the Azteca last month (hush up about it being a friendly already; there are no "friendlies" between the USA and Mexico)? Or is it the one suggested by an almost equally historic loss in the Caribbean that sees the USMNT struggling in their initial World Cup qualification group stage? Four points from three matches still leaves the US in decent position to advance, particularly with two matches remaining at home, but should the US be struggling this much and this early?

I'll admit to more than one occasion in the first year of Klinsmann's reign where I suspected that the US was about to get Sven-ed (I refer, of course, to the Swede's disastrous tenure as Mexico boss). I'll also admit that the victories away to Italy and Mexico were impressive enough results (though both opponents were wasteful with their chances) to sway me from such thoughts. But now I'm not quite so sure. One thing the loss to Jamaica did leave me sure of is just how important Michael Bradley (missing through injury) is to this team...

Hot Streaks

Last month it looked like the playoff fields were pretty much set in MLS with five favorites in each conference plus Montreal in the East and Colorado/Chivas in the West looking to play the spoiler role. What a difference a month makes. Scorching form from Columbus has seen them come out of nowhere to lay hold to a potential playoff spot at DC United's expense. Montreal still hold out hope, but realistically, DC and Columbus are probably vying for the fifth and final spot, and it may come down to a six-pointer between the teams in the final weeks of the season to determine who books their post-season passage.

Out West, both Chivas and Colorado have predictably fallen away, but a surge by the suddenly healthy FC Dallas and some massive stumbles by the Whitecaps have seen those two teams drawn into a pitched battle for the fifth and final playoff spot. Is the season long enough for Dallas to catch plummeting Vancouver?

Deadline Dealings

As predicted, the Clint Dempsey transfer saga loomed large, not just in the minds of US fans, but as one of, if not the, central focus of the British silly season drama. With preferred suitors Liverpool unable (or unwilling) to splash the cash, late bids from Aston Villa and Spurs were accepted by Fulham. Dempsey rejected Villa and jumped ship for Spurs to join other late movers Mo Edu (Rangers to Stoke City), Bocanegra (Rangers to Racing Santander), and Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon to Malaga). What effect will these new surroundings have on players who might be key parts of the US qualifying campaign?

Looking Ahead

So what does the intrepid American soccer fan turn his or her attention to in the month to come?

• Do key USMNT starters in new surroundings where playing time might be at a premium see adequate minutes? I'm thinking specifically of Dempsey and Bradley, but fringe starters like Onyewu, Cameron, and Edu will bear watching.
• The MLS playoff race is on. There's a limited field still in with a shout, but the race could go down to the wire. More important for the top dogs is who can stay healthiest and round into their best form as the post-season gets under way.
• The CONCACAF Champions' League group stages roll on. Houston, Seattle, and LA all look to be in good position to survive the group stage, but RSL are in a dogfight, and TFC stand little chance of overcoming the Santos buzz saw.
• Can Klinsmann's boys get the result they need at home to Jamaica to get the World Cup qualification campaign back on course?

That wraps things up for the State of the States for this month. When next we meet, things will either have cleared up or gotten desperately murky in the MLS playoff race and the USA's qualification campaign. See you then...

Michael S. Hund is the creator of the Fullback Files, a blog covering DC United, the US National Team, and Major League Soccer.