Americans in Champions League 2024/25: USMNT players in Europe’s top UEFA club competition | Sporting News

The current U.S. player pool has never been more prominent in the top European leagues, leaving many key USMNT stars in position to contribute in the world’s most prestigious club competition.

The UEFA Champions League is the most-watched club soccer tournament in the world, and a title is considered the pinnacle of achievements in the modern club game.

Only two American players have ever won the UEFA Champions League. Jovan Kirovski became the first in 1997 with Borussia Dortmund, but he was not in the squad for the final. Christian Pulisic’s 2021 title run with Chelsea made him the first American to ever play in a Champions League showpiece.

The Sporting News brings you a full rundown of all the USMNT players who will be gunning for a winner’s medal this season.

MORE: USMNT fixtures, schedules, results, and highlights from 2024 calendar year

Americans in Champions League 2024/25

Christian Pulisic & Yunus Musah — AC Milan

AC Milan Champions League schedule

While the team on the whole has struggled to produce consistent results early in the 2024/25 season, Christian Pulisic has been electric of late for AC Milan. The American had two goals and two assists through the first four league matches of the campaign, leaving him in great form to begin Champions League play as an established everyday starter.

USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah has found playing time difficult early in his career at Milan, starting just one of the first four games of the season, but he has still been a regular participant in some capacity and will be an important depth piece for the Champions League run.

MORE: How to watch soccer in the USA on Paramount+

Tim Weah & Weston McKennie — Juventus

Juventus Champions League schedule

Weston McKennie has fallen down the pecking order at Juventus but has worked his way back into the fold before both at Juve and other clubs throughout his career, so he could do so again here.

Tim Weah suffered a muscle injury in the season opener and has been missing for a number of weeks, but once he returns he should factor significantly into Thiago Motta’s plans.

Gio Reyna & Cole Campbell — Borussia Dortmund

While Gio Reyna has been a star for the USMNT for years, he has had a difficult time establishing himself at club level. After a failed loan spell at Nottingham Forest through the second half of last season, the 21-year-old playmaker returned to his parent club Borussia Dortmund hoping for a chance to prove he belongs as a regular first-team contributor.

Unfortunately, the oft-injured Reyna cropped up with a muscle problem while on USMNT duty in September that will keep him out for some time, which harms his chances of establishing himself further.

Another young American at Dortmund not quite as well known is Cole Campbell, an 18-year-old winger from the Atlanta United academy who has been with the BVB youth program for the past two years and is part of the club’s Champions League squad, although he’s unlikely to play a role.

Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman, Sergino Dest, Richie Ledezma — PSV

PSV has become a haven for promising USMNT young players who are looking to build their club careers. Dutch-born Sergino Dest is the most notable U.S. international at the club, having joined from a rocky spell at Barcelona, but he is currently recovering from an ACL tear suffered late last season.

Malik Tillman joined him and has exploded to life in the Netherlands, establishing himself as a regular in a playmaking position and earning a more prominent USMNT role. Ricardo Pepi is also enjoying life at PSV, although he is stuck behind first-choice striker Luuk de Jong. Still, Pepi has made the most of his sparse playing time, scoring critical goals for the club off the bench, including the winner against Sevilla in last season’s Champions League that qualified PSV for the knockout round.

Cameron Carter-Vickers & Auston Trusty — Celtic

A pair of American defenders have put together a strong case for USMNT time in Scotland.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has been with Celtic since joining from Tottenham three years ago and has rebuilt his career in Glasgow. Fellow center-back Auston Trusty, a former Arsenal player, joined him this past summer from Sheffield United.

While CCV is a regular starter for Celtic, Trusty is still working his way into a regular role. The Scottish side has not traditionally performed well in the Champions League, but with a soft schedule they could reach into the knockout stage.

Folarin Balogun — Monaco

Once one of the most coveted strikers in the transfer market while looking to leave Arsenal in search of more playing time, Folarin Balogun has struggled to get his Monaco career going.

Now in his second season with the club, the 23-year-old is in a battle with Switzerland international Breel Embolo for the regular striker role. A few goals in the Champions League could certainly give him an inside track towards more looks this season.

Diego Kochen — Barcelona

Young American goalkeeper Diego Kochen isn’t expected to factor into the Champions League run for Barcelona, but the 18-year-old Miami product is technically on the club’s roster for the UEFA competition.

Kochen has been with the Barcelona youth side since 2019.

How to watch Champions League in USA

• TV (select matches): CBS, CBS Sports
• Streaming: Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo

The only way to watch every single match of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League in the United States is on streaming service Paramount+ from CBS Sports.

At the start of the group stage, a subscription to the base, ad-supported Paramount+ Essential costs $7.99 per month. There is also a yearly option which normally costs $59.99, but a promotion for a limited time for new subscribers who can enjoy Paramount+ starting at $2.50 per month for 12 months by selecting the annual option!

There is also a no-ads version that includes Showtime, costing $12.99 per month or $119.99 for the full year.