English Clubs

United States women’s national team fans have noticed a new trend happening. American players are flocking across the pond with more USWNT players in Europe by the week.

The biggest story in January was Chelsea breaking the bank and spending $1.1 million on Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave FC. This set the record for the most expensive transfer in women’s soccer history.

Two more USWNT players have also left the NWSL as Jenna Nighswonger and Crystal Dunn both departed Gotham FC for European clubs.

Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.

Both Real and City failed to advance automatically to the last 16 as one of the top eight sides after they finished 11th and 22nd, respectively, in the new league-phase format.

Teams that finished ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff to advance to the last 16.

UCL playoff draw

MANCHESTER — Manchester City kept their Champions League campaign alive by beating Belgian side Club Brugge 3-1 in a nervy must-win match on Wednesday thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic and substitute Savinho, and a Brugge own goal.

The victory in their league-phase finale secured Pep Guardiola's men a spot in the two-legged playoff knockout round. They finished 22nd in the table, three places above elimination. They face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the knockout stage.

El Tren just ran over Liverpool.

U.S. men's national team's Ricardo Pepi started for PSV Eindhoven in their final UEFA Champions League league phase bout against none other than tournament-leaders Liverpool, with the American striker coming up huge for the Dutch club with a crucial turnaround goal. 

The 22-year-old attacker found a perfect cross to first post, slightly deflecting the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-2 and seal the Eredivisie club's victory.

Ricardo Pepi goal vs. Liverpool

LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim defended his decision to again omit forward Marcus Rashford from his squad for Sunday's 1-0 win over Fulham, insisting he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.

Rashford has not featured for United since mid-December, after he admitted that he was ready for a new challenge in his career, with the England international not in the team's travelling party for Sunday's narrow Premier League victory.

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

Josh Sargent (Norwich City)

MANCHESTER — Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has joined AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season, the two clubs announced on Friday.

Milan said in a statement that they also have an option to buy the England right-back, with Sky Italy saying Walker would cost around $5.24 million.

Kyle Walker Milan loan

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain clawed back from two goals down to stun Manchester City 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday and leave the English club outside the playoff places and in danger of elimination.

Goals from PSG's Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos turned the match on its head after City had taken the game by the scruff of the neck.

Man City vs PSG highlights

United States women’s national team star defender Naomi Girma looks set to become the most expensive women’s player in history. Women’s Super League giants Chelsea are closing in on the most expensive women’s transfer ever and pay San Diego Wave FC $1.1 million, per The Athletic.

Girma, 24, will surpass Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji who previously held the highest transfer fee in women’s soccer with a $787,600 move from Madrid CFF.