There could be nine or more U.S. internationals in this year's Champions League, depending on final transfers
There was a time when an American starring on a Champions League club was unthinkable. Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Michael Bradley were among dozens of U.S. men's national team standouts who knocked on the door, but ultimately never got a chance to play in Europe and arguably the world's top club competition.
Things have dramatically changed since then.
There could be nine or more U.S. internationals in this year's Champions League, depending on what happens once the transfer window closes. Last year set the mark, with a record 12 players. And there are a select few who could even find themselves in contention for the trophy.
GOAL looks at the Americans in this year's competition.
Americans In The Champions League
Here are the U.S. men's national pool players involved in the Champions League this year. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty were eliminated in the playoff round due to a shock exit by Celtic after losing to Kairat Almaty.
Cameron Carter-VickersCelticPlayoff round (eliminated)Auston TrustyCelticPlayoff round (eliminated)Weston McKennieJuventusLeague phaseTim WeahOlympique MarseilleLeague phaseFolarin BalogunMonacoLeague phaseTimothy ChandlerEintracht FrankfurtLeague phaseCole CampbellBorussia DortmundLeague phaseSergiño DestPSVLeague phaseRicardo PepiPSVLeague phaseJohnny CardosoAtlético MadridLeague phaseAdvertisementGetty Images SportHappy To Be Here
PSV made some noise in last year's Champions League as the Tillman and Pepi-led side reached the Round of 16, and gave Arsenal some early fits before the Gunners remembered they're the Gunners – with a significant disparity of payrolls between the English and Dutch sides.
This team doesn't appear to be as strong as its predecessors, with Tillman departing to the Bundesliga and Richy Ledezma – an underrated cog last season – heading off to Chivas in Mexico. The team also lost some experienced players like Luuk de Jong depart.
While Die Boeren will once again fight for the Dutch crown, the Champions League is another level, especially when they've got Bayern, Atletico, Liverpool, and Leverkusen on the fixture list. Still, Dest – who is arguably one of the top dribblers in Europe – and Pepi will be fun to watch.
A long-forgotten star, Chandler, could also make some sparing appearances in the Champions League as last season's surprise Bundesliga outfit Frankfurt are in the competition. Chandler is now more of a periphery player for the side, and Frankfurt have a tough road ahead. They face Barcelona, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham, among other teams.
PSV EindhovenBayern Munich (H), Liverpool (A), Bayer Leverkusen (A), Atlético Madrid (H), Olympiacos (A), Napoli (H), Union Saint-Gilloise (H), Newcastle United (A) Eintracht FrankfurtLiverpool (H), FC Barcelona (A), Atalanta (H), Atlético Madrid (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H), Napoli (A), Galatasaray (H), Qarabağ (A)Getty Images SportCould Make Some Noise
There aren't many who will envy the draw Weah's Olympique Marseille and Balogun's Monaco got on Thursday, but on a positive side, the toughest opponents on both sides overshadow winnable games.
Monaco have to face Real Madrid and Manchester City, but otherwise face matches that they should be competitive in against the likes of Club Brugge, Pafos, and Bodø/Glimt. If they can sneak a result against Juventus or Galatasaray, they could be on to the knockout phase.
Weah and Marseille also have a top-heavy draw with Liverpool and Real Madrid leading the way, but could get lucky against a Newcastle United side that is in turmoil due to Alexander Isak's very public demand to leave. While Ajax aren't easy to top, OM should be able to advance if they beat the teams they're supposed to.
McKennie's Juventus are usually expected to be among the Champions League contenders, but they aren't done any favors with their draw, facing Dortmund, Madrid, Benfica, and Villarreal. Yet, outside of Madrid, Juventus should be competitive in all of its other matches in the League Phase – especially with the addition of CONCACAF's best striker in Jonathan David.
AS MonacoManchester City, Real Madrid, Juventus, Club Brugge, Tottenham Hotspur, Bodø/Glimt, Galatasaray, PafosJuventusBorussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Benfica, Villarreal, Sporting CP, Bodø/Glimt, Pafos, MonacoOlympique de Marseille (OM)Liverpool, Real Madrid, Atalanta, Club Brugge, Ajax, Sporting CP, Newcastle United, Union Saint-GilloiseAFPOutside Contenders
Odds are the Champions League trophy will be fought over by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Yet, every year, there are surprise sides. Inter was an example of that last year, and both Atletico Madrid and Dortmund were in similar situations in the previous finals. Could the same happen again this season?
The pressure is on for Diego Simeone, and one of his highest-priced recruits, Johnny Cardoso, is expected to make an impact this season. With Atleti off to a slow start in La Liga – with just one point in two matches – could a deep Champions League run be the panacea to keep the Argentine in his long-tenured seat?
Outside of Liverpool and Arsenal, the rest of the team's opponents appear to be games that Atletico should be favored in – at least based on their squad.
Cole Campbell has found it difficult to secure a move away from Dortmund, and with good reason – they believe in his talent. Armed with one of Europe's top strikers in Serhou Guirassy, BVB scream as a team that could turn heads in Europe this season.
And for Campbell, games against the likes of FC Copenhagen and Bodø/Glimt should give him an opportunity to make an impression – if he stays.
Borussia DortmundInter (H), Manchester City (A), Villarreal (H), Juventus (A), Bodø/Glimt (H), Tottenham Hotspur (A), Athletic Club (H), FC Copenhagen (A) Atlético de MadridInter (H), Eintracht Frankfurt (H), Bodø/Glimt (H), Union Saint-Gilloise (H), Liverpool (A), Arsenal (A), PSV Eindhoven (A), Galatasaray (A)