WEDNESDAY PROVED TO BE a surprisingly productive day for Americans in Europe, as three players scored important goals and Alfredo Morales notched an assist in Ingolstadt’s campaign for promotion to the Bundesliga. Here's what you need to know.

Brooks scores in a mixed performance

John Brooks entered the day with a full head of steam, playing perhaps the best soccer of his career and impressing more than any other American in Europe over the last month. In the first half against Eintracht Frankfurt, Brooks’ strong form continued when he finished off Ronny’s free kick with a well-placed low shot.

Hertha opened up a 3-0 lead but Eintracht Frankfurt, which also featured a full 90-minute effort from U.S. international Timothy Chandler, rallied for a 4-4 draw with its final two goals coming from Bundesliga scoring leader Alexander Meier—in stoppage time. On the equalizing goal, Brooks missed a chance to clear a cross into the box which resulted in Eintracht completing its comeback.

Brooks and Hertha will now look to rebound this Sunday in its final game before the winter break, a home game against Hoffenheim.

Kljestan puts Anderlecht over the top

Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan will be glad to hang a new calendar on his wall, as his playing time has decreased in 2014 and he was unable to secure a return to MLS over the summer. Still, he is one of the few Americans who have played in the Champions League group stages in recent years and his performance against Arsenal this year was noteworthy.

On Wednesday he began Anderlecht’s quarterfinal cup match against Zulte-Waregem on the bench. With Anderlecht up 2-0 on the road, Kljestan came into the game in the 84th minute and scored another away goal to give Anderlecht a massive lead heading into next month’s return leg.

Kenny Saief Celebrates in Style

Florida-born Kenny Saief celebrated his 21st birthday in style Wednesday, scoring a goal that gave Gent a valuable 4-1 win in the first leg of its Belgian Cup quarterfinal series against Lokeren. Entering the game in the 54th minute with Gent up 2-1 on the road, Saief finished off a backheel pass from Brecht Dejaegere in the 69th minute for his second goal since joining the club in August.

Saief has represented Israel at the youth national team levels but has said he would switch to play for the United States if he received interest. It is unclear where he stands with U.S. Soccer.

Morales notches assist for Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt was not considered a candidate for promotion at the beginning of the 2.Bundesliga season, but now it is threatening to run away with the league title. The club currently sits in first place with a nine-point cushion over third-place Karlsruher for automatic promotion. Ingolstadt's +18 goal differential is far and away the best in the 2.Bundesliga.

On Wednesday Ingolstadt hosted last place St. Pauli and U.S. international Alfredo Morales assisted on Mathew Leckie’s opening goal in the 22nd minute of what would be a 2-1 win for the home team.

With just one game to go before the German winter break, Morales has started 17 of 18 games for Ingolstadt this season, logging 90 minutes in all but three games.

American fans might be waiting for his club success to translate over to the U.S. national team but with Morales playing an important role for a seemingly promotion-bound team, he will continue to get opportunities from Klinsmann.

Notes from Europe

Aron Johannsson went a full 90 for AZ Alkmaar in its victory over NEC in the fourth round of the Dutch Cup. Johannsson did not score, and it was interesting to see that he did not take the team’s penalty in the 62nd minute. He was the first-choice penalty taker last season.

South Carolina-born teenager Desevio Payne’s professional debut will continue to wait as the right back was an unused substitute again for Groningen in its 3-0 win over Volendam in the Dutch Cup. It is the third time Payne has made the gameday lineup for Groningen but he has yet to see action. Sitting in eighth place in the Eredivisie, Groningen plays its final game before the winter break this Saturday against Dordrecht.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.