Five Americans could see the field in a Champions League match that will have major implications for the U.S. national team
Soccer fans in the U.S. have fallen in love with the Champions League in recent years, and for good reason. The quality and the drama are unmatched. It's a tournament designed to pit the best against the best, and what do Americans love more than that?
Well, perhaps this: seeing the top U.S. stars participating in that tournament. It's something that has become more commonplace in recent years. This season, a dozen Americans feature on Champions League squads, making the tournament must-watch as far as the U.S. men's national team is concerned.
And it starts off with a bang. Five of those dozen U.S. players could be on the field at the same time on at 12:45 pm EST Tuesday as Juventus take on PSV as the 2024 Champions League play begins. Weston McKennie and Tim Weah could be on one side, with Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi and Richy Ledezma on the other. It would be an incredible display for American soccer, to put it lightly.
It's also a match with very real stakes, both short-term and long-term. Champions League runs, USMNT standing, future transfers – they are all at stake on Tuesday in these teams' first match of the new tournament. What's on the line for each player in this marquee match? GOAL takes a look.
Getty ImagesMcKennie needs minutes
For McKennie, Tuesday's match is obviously about the occasion. The midfielder is a big-game player, one that will relish this return to the Champions League.
More important, McKennie simply needs minutes, and he needs them quickly.
So far, McKennie has made just one substitute appearance off the bench for Juventus this season, having failed to crack Thiago Motta's team thus far. Logic would have dictated that this was initially due to his contract situation, but now that McKennie's signed long-term, it's becoming more concerning that he isn't getting the minutes.
New USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino will be concerned about that, too. McKennie, at his best, is a key cog for the USMNT, but that only works if it's not stuck to a bench. For McKennie, Tuesday's match is a chance to prove himself on a big stage, not just to Pochettino, but to Motta. He needs to impress.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWeah working his way back
Weah got off to a hot start this season. He scored in Juventus' opener against Como, seemingly setting a tone for the season after being deployed as an attacker rather than defender.
He paid for that goal with an injury, though. It kept him out of USMNT camp, unfortunately for him. Now, he's back, featuring in this past weekend's draw with Empoli. Getting back to his best will take time.
It always takes a few weeks to shake off the rust once a new season starts, but Weah spent that time nursing an injury. As a result, he'll need to get his fitness in order as he builds his way back.
When healthy, Weah is key for the USMNT. The U.S. doesn't have a winger that can stretch a game quite like him. Pochettino is surely going to find use for him, just as previous coach Gregg Berhalter did.
For Juventus, it seems as if Weah will be a key attacker this season. Particularly with Federico Chiesa gone, there is a need for speed in the Juve attack. Weah will look to provide it, and he could very well do so against PSV, a match that could call for one game-breaking moment from a player with Weah's skills.
AFPTillman out to prove himself
In the leadup to Tuesday's game, a report from Tuttosport indicated that Juventus would be using the game as a chance to, essentially, kill two birds with one stone. While their own team plays PSV, their scouts will use this as an opportunity to get a closer look at the opposition as potential future transfers.
Tillman is reportedly high on their list. The report said scouts were sent to the U.S. to watch the USMNT's recent friendly with Canada, with Tillman one of the players that the club sees as a potential signing down the line.
That's huge for the American midfielder, who does seem destined for bigger things in a top-five league. He completed a transfer to PSV this summer after spending last season on loan, but it's pretty clear that this is just a pit stop for him. Maybe it's Juventus that makes the big move down the line. And these are the type of matchups the bigger clubs will be evaluating.
The USMNT will be, too. Tillman failed to impress during the September window, which seemed like a missed chance – especially with Gio Reyna out with injury. He'll need to show he can bring his PSV form to the national team at some point but, for now, he'll look to keep that PSV form flowing as scouts from the club and international level watch closely.
Getty ImagesPepi's fight for more
Tillman isn't the only American that Juventus is reportedly scouting. Pepi is said to be on their list, too. It makes sense. Most top clubs have taken a close look at Pepi at one point or another.
Before Pepi makes that type of move, though, he'll need to prove that he can dominate at the Eredivisie level. He's done well, of course, scoring nine goals last season, but he has still not claimed a starting spot with the Dutch giants.
Luuk de Jong remains PSV's starter and, as long as he keeps banging in goals, there's little Pepi can do to change that. To the American's credit, he often makes the most of his opportunities, whether off the bench or as a spot starter. He's also shown a flair for the big games, scoring twice in the Champions League last season.
Scoring in Eredivise is nice, but the Champions League is where players can truly shine. Pepi will keep fighting for more playing time, and Tuesday is an opportunity to make a mark, even if it is off the bench.