There are 11 Americans on the books at Champions League clubs… could any of them make a deep run in this tournament?
For years, Americans in the Champions League were few and far between. Those days are long gone, though, as this generation of United States men's national team stars routinely finds itself competing at the highest levels of the European game.
Christian Pulisic made history by winning the whole thing during his time at Chelsea, but now at AC Milan, the USMNT star faces a whole new challenge. He and Yunus Musah seem to be the Americans best positioned for a deep run, but their spot in the Group of Death alongside Gio Reyna's Borussia Dortmund will make that a challenging test.
Those are just three of the USMNT stars of the present and future that will be making a run at the competition. Can any of them have a real go at it? We'll find out over the coming months…
Getty ImagesAC Milan – Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah
Pulisic has already gotten his hands on a Champions League trophy, playing a key role in Chelsea's run to the European summit during his time at Stamford Bridge. Can he replicate the feat at Milan? After last season, you'd have to say that anything is possible.
Milan made it all the way to the semi-finals in 2022-23 before painfully losing to rivals Inter. Their eternal foes emphatically got the best of them over the weekend, too, leaving the red side of Milan in a sour mood as they enter a group of death that includes Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.
Looking at this group, Pulisic , of course, will be looking forward to that clash with former club Dortmund, but the campaign will begin with a match against Newcastle in Italy. He won't be alone, though, as far as Americans go. Musah will be joining him for his first European campaign, having never reached continental competition at Valencia. The midfielder, though, is still working to break through at Milan, having only joined this summer.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesBarcelona – Diego Kochen
A huge, huge accomplishment for teenage starlet Diego Kochen, who was named to Barcelona's Champions League squad for the group stages.
Born in Miami, Kochen has progressed through the academy at La Masia, signing his first professional contract in March 2022. He's made the bench several times for Barca since, and Xavi went as far as to include the 17-year-old goalkeeper in the club's squad for Europe.
Barcelona are facing a fairly manageable group featuring Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp. If they cruise as expected, could Kochen be handed an appearance in a dead-rubber late game? It's something to watch for fans of American soccer.
Getty ImagesBorussia Dortmund – Gio Reyna
Injuries have kept Gio Reyna out for the start of the season, but he was on the plane to Paris for Dortmund's opening match against PSG. Reyna hasn't played a competitive game since the Nations League finals in June, but seems on his way to recovery. That's great news for Dortmund, who really benefitted from Reyna's goal contributions as a substitute last season.
What will Reyna's role be when healthy? It's one of the big questions in American soccer as the USMNT looks for him to make a major leap on the road to the 2026 World Cup. Maybe that jump will come via a Champions League breakout, as Reyna will look to lead Dortmund out of the Group of Death.
GettyCeltic – Cameron Carter-Vickers
He'll miss the start of the group stage, at least, due to injury, so let's see where Celtic stand by the time Cameron Carter-Vickers gets back. The defender is vital for the Scottish giants, and could very well be vital for the USMNT this cycle. However, a hamstring injury will keep him out for at least another month or so.
Looking at the group, Celtic will feel they have a chance, with Atletico Madrid the clear front-runner alongside Feyenoord and Lazio. This week's clash with Feyenoord could very well be a decider for the Scottish side as they look for a run to the knockouts.
