American goalscorers have been popping up within the reshaped UEFA Champions League within the early a part of the 2024/25 season. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie made headlines within the opening week. They had been the primary US Males’s Nationwide Crew (USMNT) gamers to attain for his or her golf equipment, AC Milan and Juventus, on the identical day in Champions League historical past.
This promising begin to the season underscores the rising affect of American gamers in Europe’s most prestigious membership event. Over time, a number of U.S. stars have discovered their scoring contact within the Champions League. These gamers have left their mark in essential matches, from rising skills to seasoned professionals. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at an inventory of American goal-scorers in Champions League historical past.
Prime American goalscorers in Champions League historical past
5. American gamers with one aim
Six American gamers, previous and current, have discovered the again of the web as soon as within the UEFA Champions League. The record contains Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, and Jovan Kirovski for the previous era. Edu scored his aim whereas enjoying for Rangers, and Kljestan made his mark with Anderlecht. Maybe, probably the most important title on this group is Jovan Kirovski. He holds a particular place in U.S. soccer historical past.
Kirovski turned the primary American to win the UEFA Champions League in 1997 with Borussia Dortmund. Regardless of not making the ultimate 18-man squad, he nonetheless performed a task for the German aspect, and it was a trailblazing achievement for American gamers overseas.
Among the many present era, Ricardo Pepi has scored with Tyler Adams and Sergiño Dest. Adams made in 2020 together with his dramatic winner for RB Leipzig in opposition to Atletico Madrid within the quarter-finals. He despatched the German aspect to their first-ever Champions League semi-final.
Dest additionally scored in 2020 whereas at Barcelona throughout a group-stage conflict in opposition to Dynamo Kyiv. Dest’s journey has since taken him to PSV Eindhoven, after a stint with AC Milan, the place he now strains up alongside fellow USMNT teammate Malik Tillman. In the meantime, Adams has transitioned to the Premier League with Bournemouth.
Ricardo Pepi added his title to this unique record in October 2023, scoring for PSV Eindhoven in opposition to Sevilla in a vital 2-2 draw. At simply 20 years outdated, Pepi’s aim marked a private milestone and highlighted the rising influence of younger American expertise in Europe’s high competitors.
4. Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones, Jordan Pefok: two targets
Fabian Johnson and Jermaine Jones are two retired gamers on this part. They had been standout American midfielders who made important contributions within the UEFA Champions League whereas enjoying for Bundesliga golf equipment.
Johnson scored his two Champions League targets in the course of the 2015-16 season for Borussia Mönchengladbach. A flexible midfielder who additionally performed as a wing-back, Johnson first struck in a vital 1-1 draw in opposition to Juventus, leveling the rating. He added one other aim in an exhilarating 4-2 victory over Sevilla, reinforcing his fame as a key participant for Mönchengladbach.
Jones, in the meantime, discovered the again of the web for Schalke 04 in two separate Champions League campaigns. His first aim got here in a 3-1 group-stage win over Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2010. His second got here in a tense Spherical of 16 tie in 2013 in opposition to Galatasaray, the place Jones equalized to maintain Schalke’s hopes alive. Nonetheless, they had been ultimately eradicated 4-3 on mixture. Jones’ aggressive and combative fashion made him a mainstay in Schalke’s midfield.
Jordan Pefok, the one lively participant on this group, made his mark for Swiss aspect Younger Boys in 2021. His first aim was memorable not only for him however for the entire Champions League, scoring a dramatic Ninety fifth-minute winner in opposition to Manchester United. This immediately etched his title in Younger Boys’ folklore. His second got here in the identical group stage in opposition to Atalanta in an exhilarating 3-3 draw. Pefok has since moved to Union Berlin, the place he continues to symbolize American expertise in top-flight European soccer.
3. Weston McKennie: three targets
Weston McKennie has emerged as a key American determine within the Champions League for Juventus. The versatile midfielder has netted thrice within the competitors, all for the Outdated Girl. His first aim got here in a 3-0 victory in opposition to Barcelona in December 2020. That got here with a spectacular scissor-kick volley. In a match headlined ‘Ronaldo versus Messi,’ it was McKennie’s aim that caught the eye of U.S. supporters, underscoring his influence on such a major stage.
McKennie added to his tally in October 2022 in opposition to Benfica. He discovered the again of the web to convey Juventus nearer at 4-3 after trailing 4-1. Regardless of this effort, McKennie and Juventus had been finally knocked out of the Champions League following this loss.
Most not too long ago, he discovered the web in opposition to PSV Eindhoven on this season’s event, marking a profitable return to Juventus, following a short mortgage spell at Leeds United.
McKennie’s journey from FC Dallas’ academy to changing into a aim scorer for a European big like Juventus serves as an inspiration for younger American skills.
2. DaMarcus Beasley: 4 targets
DeMarcus Beasley had a memorable run with PSVduring the 2004-05 season. He scored 4 targets in 22 appearances, together with three targets in simply 10 matches throughout PSV’s exceptional journey to the semifinals. Beasley’s electrifying tempo and attacking prowess had been central to PSV’s victories, making him a continuing menace to opposing defenses.
His standout performances included a pivotal end in opposition to Monaco, which helped propel PSV to the latter phases of the event. Beasley’s tireless work ethic and flexibility on the wing endeared him to followers and teammates alike.
Beasley turned the primary American to play within the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, in opposition to Milan. Within the first leg, PSV misplaced 2–0 on the San Siro, whereas within the second leg, PSV received 3–1, although they had been eradicated based mostly on the away targets rule.
His achievements at PSV not solely highlighted the potential of American gamers in European soccer however seemingly impressed different Individuals to affix the membership in subsequent seasons. Beasley’s legacy continues to encourage a brand new era of soccer stars within the U.S.
1. Christian Pulisic: Eight targets
What’s left to say about Christian Pulisic? He’s been a pioneer for American expertise overseas. Few USMNT gamers have held the Champions League trophy. He’s solely the second participant after Kirovski to win it. Nonetheless, Pulisic is the primary American participant to really play within the ultimate.
Christian Pulisic stands on the pinnacle of American aim scorers within the Champions League with eight targets to his title. His journey broke quite a few data, starting with Borussia Dortmund, the place he turned the youngest American to each play and rating in a Champions League match. Pulisic netted his first aim in opposition to Benfica in 2017 at simply 18 years outdated.
His transfer to Chelsea in 2019 opened a brand new chapter, the place he continued to make historical past. Pulisic turned the primary American to attain in a Champions League semifinal, discovering the web in opposition to Actual Madrid in 2021. This aim was essential in Chelsea’s journey to the ultimate, the place they ultimately triumphed over Manchester Metropolis.
Pulisic’s temporary cameo within the ultimate had historic significance as he turned the primary American to play in and win a Champions League ultimate.
Now at AC Milan, Pulisic continues to symbolize American expertise on the grand stage. His current aim within the 2024–25 Champions League marketing campaign provides one other chapter to his illustrious European profession.
As we’ve seen, American gamers have made important strides within the UEFA Champions League. Kirovski’s groundbreaking triumph to Pulisic’s record-setting performances, represents greater than particular person accomplishments. They symbolize the rising affect for American soccer on the world stage.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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