The Europa League may lack the Champions League’s spotlight, but it offers USMNT fans a compelling reason to tune in this season.
While a few Americans such as Johnny Cardoso, Sergiño Dest and Mathis Albert will appear in the 2026‑27 Champions League, a notable thirteen U.S. players are booked for its Thursday‑night counterpart.
Two clubs each field two Americans
Keep a close watch on the two clubs that each field a pair of Americans:
AC Milan – Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah
Celtic – Austin Trusty and Cameron Carter‑Vickers
Several head‑to‑head battles feature US talent, beginning with Crystal Palace’s trip to Lyon on Oct. 15, followed by Milan at Bournemouth and Juventus hosting Rennes on Oct. 22, and Leverkusen meeting Marseille on Nov. 5.
Additional American‑filled fixtures include Leverkusen versus Lyon and Celtic against Marseille.
USMNT duo set for Lyon‑Palace clash
Two U.S. nationals could line up for Thursday’s Lyon‑Palace showdown in France, kicking off at 12:45 p.m. ET.
Chris Richards, 26, and 19‑year‑old Zavier Gozo are Palace teammates; Richards’ daughter Luna is already a Gozo fan. — USMNT Only, Sept 26 2026
Tanner Tessmann makes Lyon’s squad but will start on the bench. The former FC Dallas midfielder featured in all four Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League opener on Sept. 16, yet he hasn’t started for Paulo Fonseca since.
He missed the USMNT’s fall friendlies, but hopes to earn Mauricio Pochettino’s attention soon.
Across the line, Chris Richards anchors Palace’s defense. The Alabama native tops Pierre Sage’s sheet and has started every one of the Eagles’ seven games in the Premier League and Europa League.
If you expected to see his teenage teammate Zavier Gozo, you’ll be let down – the winger wasn’t registered for the Europa League after his summer move to Palace.
The John Textor connection
Another notable U.S. link is businessman John Textor, former owner of both clubs.
Because both sides belonged to Eagle Football Holdings, Palace dropped from last season’s Europa League to the Conference League, which they later won, while Lyon stayed in the Europa League; clubs under the same umbrella can’t compete together.
Textor has since divested his stakes in both sides, clearing the path for this Europa clash.
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