Champions League

Welcome to this week’s edition of USMNT Abroad, where we bring you the latest updates on American soccer players making waves across Europe. 

From standout performances to key transfers, rumors and injury reports, The18 has got you covered with all the action involving U.S. men’s national team players in Europe’s top leagues. 

C’mon, you yanks!

USMNT Abroad this weekend: The latest on American players in Europe

Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)

A fantastic Weston McKennie goal vs Man City in the Champions League on Wednesday gave Juventus breathing space in a big 2-0 victory at home.

McKennie came on as a substitute against City, making his first appearance for Juve since Nov. 23. The American midfielder was out due to muscle fatigue.

He marked his return to the field with a literal bang as he and fellow American Timothy Weah combined for a glorious goal in the 75th minute to double their team’s lead.

Weston McKennie goal vs Man City

This Thanksgiving PSV will be thankful for their American players as United States men’s national team stars Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi recorded three goals in eight minutes for a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory vs. Shakhtar Donetsk.

Tillman, who started the game, recorded a brace with goals in the 87th minute and 90th minute to bring PSV level. The 22-year-old’s first goal saw him sneak the ball across the line at the near post with goal-line technology helping determine the goal.

MANCHESTER — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he did not intend to make light of the "very serious issue of self harm" with a joke he made after Tuesday's 3-3 draw with Feyenoord at Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola was asked in the post-match press conference how he got a cut on his nose, and he replied: "With my finger, my nail. I want to harm myself." The 53-year-old took to social media on Wednesday to explain his answer.

Pep Guardiola harm myself comment

MANCHESTER — Manchester City squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Dutch side Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday in another calamitous performance from Pep Guardiola's stuttering side.

Erling Haaland bagged a brace for the hosts, who looked poised for a comfortable victory to erase their woeful five-game losing streak across all competitions. But huge defensive blunders in the dying minutes saw them lose their advantage and fall to 15th in the Champions League table on eight points.

Christian Pulisic’s incredible form this season was on full display during AC Milan’s 3-2 Champions League victory against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday. A Pulisic goal vs Bratislava opened the scoring in the 21st minute.

The United states men’s national team star was used as a substitute during the 0-0 draw against Juventus on Saturday as he wasn’t fully fit after the international break. On Tuesday he was back in the starting XI and doing what he does best… scoring goals.

Tammy Abraham found the American with a great ball that got Pulisic 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper. 

Aston Villa conceded a bizarre penalty in a 1-0 loss at Club Brugge on Wednesday which ended their perfect start to the Champions League group stage.

What had been a lethargic performance for Villa turned absurd in the 52nd minute when Tyrone Mings inexplicably picked up the ball, believing it was not in play.

Villa keeper Emi Martinez had just lined up a goal kick, sending a short pass to Mings, who then picked up the ball and gave it back to the Argentinian. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Hans Vanaken converted.

A Christian Pulisic assist vs Real Madrid opened the scoring of AC Milan’s surprising 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Pulisic’s corner kicks have garnered attention this season after he scored an Olimpico goal against Club Brugge in Milan’s previous Champions League game.

BARCELONA — Barcelona captain Raphinha scored a hat-trick to lead them to a commanding 4-1 home victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, ending a near decade-long winless run against the German powerhouse.

After six consecutive losses in which they were outscored 22 goals to four by Bayern, including a humiliating 8-2 defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago, Barcelona got their revenge with a great attacking performance led by their Brazilian captain.

Barcelona vs Bayern highlights

MADRID — Real Madrid fought back from two goals down as Vinicius Jr grabbed a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-2 win over visitors Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In a rematch of last-season's final, Dortmund lit up the game with a two-goal blitz around the half-hour mark from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens to silence the Bernabeu crowd.

However, the champions were livelier after the break and broke Dortmund's resistance with Antonio Rüdiger's header on the hour before Vinicius equalized with a close-range strike.