There’s still some time until the European season is in full swing, but for some American players, their competitive schedules have already begun.
Qualifying for the UEFA Champions, Europa, and Conference League tournaments are in full swing while many other players will enter the competition in the playoff or league phase rounds.
Weston McKennie, Johnny Cardoso, and Ricardo Pepi are among the lengthy list of U.S. men’s national team players that will be part of the Champions League this season. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty could add their names to that list, should they advance past a two-legged playoff series later this month.
Chris Richards and Crystal Palace are still awaiting their decision in regard to what competition they will be featuring in for the first time. Regardless, the Eagles will be debuting in Europe in either the Europa or Conference League competition.
Here is a closer look at which Americans have already guaranteed a berth into a European competition, and which still have some hurdles to reach the league phase:
UEFA Champions League
Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen (League Phase)
Johnny Cardoso and Atletico Madrid (League Phase)
Weston McKennie and Juventus (League Phase)
Paxten Aaronson, Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt (League Phase)
Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest and PSV (League Phase)
Tim Weah and Marseille (League Phase)
Gio Reyna, Cole Campbell and Borussia Dortmund (League Phase, should they remain with Borussia Dortmund this season)
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Celtic will enter in the playoff round and face the winner of the Kairat Almaty/Slovan Bratislava series in a two-legged series on August 20 and 26.
Should Josh Wynder and Benfica advance past Nice and into the playoff round, they would face the winner of the Fenerbahce/Feyenoord series in a two-legged playoff tie on August 20 and 27.
UEFA Europa League
Tanner Tessmann and Lyon (League Phase)
Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos face Shakhtar Donetsk in a two-legged qualifying round series on August 7 and 14. The winner will face Samsunspor in a two-legged playoff series on August 21 and 28.
Dante Polvara and Aberdeen will enter in the playoff round and face the winner of the FCSB/Drita series in a two-legged series on August 21 and 28.
UEFA Conference League
Rokas Pukstas and Hajduk Split face FC Dinamo City in a two-legged qualifying round series on August 7 and 14. The winner will face the winner of the Silkeborg/Jagiellonia Bialystok series in a two-legged playoff series on August 21 and 28.
Konrad De La Fuente and Lausanne face FC Astana in a two-legged qualifying round series on August 7 and 14. The winner will face the winner of the St. Patrick Athletic/Besiktas series in a two-legged playoff series on August 21 and 28.
Gavin Beavers and Brondby face Vikingur Reykjavik in a two-legged qualifying round series on August 7 and 14. The winner will face Strasbourg in a two-legged playoff series on August 21 and 28.
Lennard Maloney and Mainz enter in the playoff round and will face the winner of the Rosenborg/Hammarby series in a two-legged series on August 21 and 28.
If officially demoted to Conference League, Chris Richards and Crystal Palace will enter in the playoff round and face the winner of the Fredrikstad/Midtjylland series in a two-legged series on August 21 and 28. Crystal Palace appealed UEFA’s ruling to demote them from the Europa League to the Conference League, and is awaiting the federation’s decision.
