Playing for top clubs means playing in the biggest tournaments, and no tournament is bigger than the UEFA Champions League. For a long time if two or three American players participated in the Champions League it was a lot, but this season, a record number of U.S. National Team players will take the field in this prestigious cup competition.
In a unique case, there are even three American players in one Champions League group. Not only are there American players but also American coaches as Jesse Marsch will coach in his second consecutive Champions League.
A total of tenUSMNT players will suit up for Champions League action this season and one coach will be on the sidelines, we have the list of each American player and their possibilities to play in European soccer’s top cup competition.
USMNT Players in Champions League Squads
Group A
Chris Richards – Bayern Munich
Chris Richards playing for Bayern Munich. (Getty)
Richards is coming along slowly for the current champions and will look to get meaningful minutes during the year. The fact that he is on the squad can only help his development. His chances of playing are slim at least for now.
Jesse Marsch coaches Red Bull Salzburg
Jesse Marsch will coach in his second Champions League. (Getty)
In his second season with the club,Marsch will coach in his second consecutive Champions League. If he can get out of the group, it will be a huge victory for the Austrian side.
Group C
Zack Steffen – Manchester City
Zack Steffen will look for Champions League minutes with Manchester City. (Getty)
Steffen has already played in a few cup games for Man City this season, and while he is not the starter, don’t be surprised if he gets some minutes in the Champions League group stage.
Group D
Alex Méndez – Ajax
Alex Mendez at Ajax. (Ajax)
Alex Méndezhas only recently been promoted to the Ajax senior side and will be in the mix as a rotation player most likely.Méndez is a USMNT youth international who moved to Ajax in 2019, he played in the youth systems of the L.A. Galaxy in MLS andSC Freiburg of Germany before making a move to the Netherlands.
Group E
Christian Pulisic – Chelsea
Christian Pulisic is no stranger to the Champions League. (Getty)
Pulisic is no stranger to this stage having played for Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea already. This season many pundits have noted that Pulisic will have a breakout year, he is wearing the number 10 jersey at Chelsea and will be a key player in their title hopes.
Group F
Gio Reyna – BorussiaDortmund
Reyna will look to make his mark in the Champions League. (Getty)
Like Pulisic, Reyna is coming on strong for Borussia Dortmund, this will only add to the experience he has gained, and it could be a coming-out party for Gio Reyna at such a high level.
Ethan Horvath – Club Brugge
Ethan Horvath will most likely be on the bench for Brugge. (Getty)
Life has been pretty dull for Horvath at Brugge, he lost both his starting spot on the teamandhe has fallen out of favor with the USMNT. His chances of playing are slim unless he regains his starting spot.
Group G
Weston McKennie – Juventus
Weston McKennie in action for Juventus. (Getty)
McKennie as of right now is starting at Juventus and will most likely be rotating in the midfield as the schedule picks up for the Italian champions. No question about it, McKennie will play a role forJuve this season.
Konrad De la fuente – Barcelona
Konrad De la fuente is gaining experience at Barcelona. (Getty)
Konrad, as he is going by at Barcelona, is at the moment a squad player and his chances ofplaying are slim, but he might come in if a player gets injured.
Sergiño Dest – Barcelona
Sergiño Dest at Barcelona. (Barcelona)
Dest recently signed with Barcelona, but it looks like he will be a key player for the team during the season. He will be at the right-backpositionfor the team as Barcelona look to reclaim the Champions League this season.
Group H
Tyler Adams – RB Leipzig
Another year another Champions League for Tyler Adams. (Getty)
Adams also has experience in the Champions League and scored a goal against Atlético Madrid last season. He will be a central piece for Leipzig again this season.
