GOAL looks at what's on the line for USMNT players entering the UCL Group Stage finale – knockouts or bust?
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League league phase wraps up Wednesday, with all 36 teams competing at once to close the opening portion of this year's new format in the tournament. Eighteen matches will kick off at 3 p.m. ET, as the top 24 teams moving onto the next round are finally determined after five months of action.
From a U.S. men's national team perspective, six teams featuring senior members are in play. Five of the six have already guaranteed their spot in the knockout stage, while one side, PSV, are fighting for their UCL lives heading into the Group Stage finale.
Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and AC Milan have already secured a spot in the knockouts after recording five-straight victories – this after losing their first two matches in the UCL. However, on Wednesday, the are looking to become a member of the top eight, which would automatically book their spot into the Round of 16.
Weston McKennie and Tim Weah (Juventus), Folarin Balogun (Monaco) and Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) – along with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty – will all be competing, but play knowing their spot in the next round is already reserved. However, they are still fighting for seeding, looking to climb the table to earn a more favorable matchup in the next round.
PSV, featuringi Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, Richard Ledezma and Sergino Dest, have an uncertain status, but the odds are in their favor due to some recent outstanding performances in the competition.
Teams who finish outside the top eight will compete in the knockouts, with teams No. 9-16 seeded and 17-24 unseeded. Seeded sides are set to host the second leg of two-legged affairs. The first legs of the knockout playoff round will take place on Feb. 11-12, with the second legs on Feb. 18-19.
GOAL takes a look at how each team sporting a USMNT player has fared, what they need to do Wednesday to book their spot in the next round or move up the table, and more in their Group Stage finale.
AFPWho's in: Pulisic, Musah and AC Milan
Current standings: 6th
Next opponent: Dinamo Zagreb
What they need to do to qualify: Three points against Zagreb would automatically send the through to the Round of 16. A draw could potentially be enough, but it would rely on other matches going their way, too. A loss would likely see them drop into the playoffs.
Can be eliminated if: N/A
How USMNT players have performed: Pulisic has excelled in the competition, with three goals and one assist in six matches. Musah, meanwhile, has made five appearances, playing 292 minutes while recording an average passing percentage of 84 percent.
AdvertisementAFPWho's in: Weah, McKennie and Juventus
Current standings: 17th place, 12 points
Next opponent: Benfica
What they need to do to qualify: To qualify for a spot in the top eight, the must beat Benfica, but that is not enough. They will also need 10 of the 12 teams placed 5-16 to not get three points to find themselves with an automatic berth into the knockouts. Juventus are already confirmed to be in the knockout phase.
Can be eliminated if: N/A
How USMNT players have performed: Weah and McKennie have been regular contributors for the club in the UCL this season, with McKennie scoring twice in six appearances and Weah notching one assist in two starts, but six total appearances.
AFPWho's in: Balogun and Monaco
Current standings: 10th, 13 points
Next opponent: Inter Milan
What they need to do to qualify: Three points could potentially see them move into the top eight, but they would need a team already occupying a spot to fall on Matchday 8. Mathematically, a victory by at least a two-goal margin would see them move above Inter Milan, which would almost guarantee a top eight finish. However, a win by a single goal would see them finish below their Italian opposition in the standings, meaning that they'd require at least four of the other six clubs on 13 and 14 points not to win.
Regardless of the result on MD8, they are assured a playoff spot at minimum, meaning they have already booked their spot into the knockout round.
Can be eliminated if: N/A
How USMNT players have performed: Balogun has been sidelined since November with a shoulder injury, and he recently underwent surgery. It is still unknown when he will return, although the expectation is early April.
GettyWho's in: Carter-Vickers, Trusty and Celtic
Current standings: 18th, 12 points
Next opponent: Aston Villa
What they need to do to qualify: The mighty Scottish side have already secured a berth into the knockout round of the competition, and cannot be eliminated as a result. However, sitting at 12 points, it is highly unlikely they move into the top eight for an automatic berth into the knockouts. To achieve that, they would need 10 clubs positioned between fifth and 17th not to win.
Can be eliminated if: N/A
How USMNT players have performed: Carter-Vickers and Trusty have formed a formidable partnership in central defense, with Carter-Vickers logging five starts and Trusty, with seven, appearing in each match. Together, they've earned two clean sheets, while Trusty has earned three.
