GOAL looks at how Americans are doing in top Euro competitions, arguably the most indicative tests of where players stand
Europe's top competitions are rolling and, once again, there's a large contingent of USMNT stars playing their part. More Americans than ever, in fact. On Tuesday, nine USMNT stars played in the Champions League, the most ever in a single day. Just four years ago, that record was set at five and, looking ahead, there could be more to come.
Several Americans are thriving on the big stage. The world has taken notice of Christian Pulisic's surge, with the USMNT and AC Milan star's latest victim being none other than Real Madrid. The USMNT contingent at PSV, led by Malik Tillman, is pushing too, while Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie remain key contributors at Juventus.
It's not all great, though. The margins are fine at the highest levels, as several Americans have learned already in these competitions. Whether it's the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League, these games are difficult and they remain arguably the most indicative test of where players stand. Some have shined, others have faltered but, either way, it's been a wild start to European competition for USMNT stars abroad.
GOAL looks at the performance of the Americans this season in Europe's most challenging competitions.
Getty Images SportLeading the way
+ There's an obvious one here: Christian Pulisic. He put in another standout performance against Real Madrid Tuesday, assisting the opener while setting up another in a 3-1 win. That comes after goals against Liverpool and Club Brugge. Much like he is in just every way imaginable, Pulisic is leading the charge for the USMNT on the biggest stage in Europe, helping Milan beat Madrid to set up a smooth ride towards the knockouts.
+ Malik Tillman has been absolutely electric this season. His recent one-goal, two-assist performance in the win over Girona was his best effort yet as he continues to take massive strides for PSV. Cruising in the league, PSV also have a chance to push for a knockout spot and, if they're to get it, Tillman will almost certainly have played a huge part.
+ It's worth pointing out that this is all relative, which is why Cole Campbell is here. Just 18 years old, Campbell made his Champions League debut against Sturm Graz, continuing his rise at Dortmund. We all know how well Dortmund typically handles the development of young players, so the club showing this much faith in him by playing him in the Champions League is a huge step in the right direction.
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+ Weston McKennie has been a regular starter for Juventus throughout the Champions League run, one that has admittedly faltered a bit after a recent loss to Stuttgart and draw with Lille. He's started three of those matches, coming off the bench in the recent draw, proving, once again, that he's a player Juventus can rely on even after the club tried to kick him out.
+ Prior to the win over Real Madrid, Yunus Musah had just one brief cameo for Milan in the Champions League. His performance against last season's winners was fantastic, though. Musah stared down Vinicius Junior and helped shut him down, putting in one of his best shifts in a Milan shirt. It will help his case massively as he looks to play more in the second half of the group stage.
+ Richy Ledezma received a tough welcome to the Champions League in PSV's 3-1 loss to Juventus, but just reaching this level is an impressive leap for the American. Once a midfielder, now a temporary right-back, Ledezma has filled a hole for PSV this season, earning three Champions League appearances in the process. It's interesting to see how he'll fit in as the season continues on, but, at least at the start, Ledezma's rise has been an unexpected surprise.
+ He missed the first two games of the competition due to injury, but you can already see the difference Cameron Carter-Vickers makes at Celtic. Two starts, two wins featuring the American defender, who has stepped up in big wins over RB Leipzig and Slovan Bratislava. Thanks to those wins, Celtic are in the race, which bodes well now that the centerback is back to his best for the home stretch.
+ Johnny Cardoso has started all four of Real Betis' Europa Conference League matches so far, helping the club to two wins, a draw and a loss. The American is virtually irreplaceable in the Betis midfield, which is why many think he won't be playing at the Conference League level for long.
+ Heidenheim's improbable run to the Europa Conference League is one heck of a story, one with American Lennard Maloney in the center. He's featured in all four of the German side's matches, helping the club get past Hacken in the two-legged playoff before featuring in wins over Olimpija and Pafos to open the competition.
GettyCould be better
+ Injuries slowed Tim Weah down to start the season, limiting him to just three Champions League appearances off the bench so far. He's clearly still an important piece for Juve, whether as a starter or off the bench, so there isn't much reason to worry as he works his way back to 100 percent.
+ Ricardo Pepi still isn't starting for PSV, which is unfortunate because, when he does, he tends to score. He has five goals in just 349 minutes in the Eredivisie but has played just 18 total minutes in the Champions League. This is after he scored twice in 179 minutes last season, providing further evidence that shows he tends to score when he does see the field. Hopefully, PSV can find a way to use him more going forward than they are right now.
+ Auston Trusty's first real taste of the Champions League was a 7-1 humbling at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, but he's settled in nicely. After keeping a clean sheet against Atalanta, Trusty started alongside Carter-Vickers in the win over RB Leipzig, further cementing himself as a starter for Celtic. It's the bounce-back he needed as Trusty and Celtic put that Dortmund game behind them.
+ Still building himself up at new club Lyon, Tanner Tessmann has gotten two appearances in the Europa League. Previously at Venezia, this is Tessmann's first European campaign, and it's begun with a substitute appearance against Olympiakos and a start against Besiktas.
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+ Gio Reyna has obviously had a nightmare start to the season, and that carries over into the Champions League. Due to injuries, Reyna has played just nine minutes this season, none of which have come in the Champions League. Because of that, it's still TBD how he'll fit in when he is healthy enough to play.
+ Sergino Dest still isn't back from his ACL injury, but when he does return, what kind of player will he be? Where will he fit in at PSV? The club clearly has plans for him but, before we see them, Dest needs to get healthy.
+ Another player battling injuries but, even before the injuries, Folarin Balogun wasn't lighting it up for Monaco. He came off the bench twice for Monaco before his injury, playing 21 minutes in a loss to Barcelona and 44 in a draw with Dinamo Zagreb. Balogun hasn't gotten it going at Monaco but the hope will be that he does once he's back fit.
+ Timmy Chandler has been out of the USMNT picture for some time, but he is still in the squad at Eintracht Frankfurt. He hasn't played much, though, failing to appear in the Europa League while remaining on the bench for three matches.
