Christian Pulisic, Sergiño Dest, and Three Other Americans in the Champions League Today

It’s Captain America vs. the Winter Soldier today as Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea takes on Sergiño Dest’s AC Milan in the Champions League.

(Okay, no one calls Dest The Winter Soldier, but maybe we should start?)

Pulisic and Dest are two of five Americans who will likely get playing time in the UCL today – here’s a breakdown of who and when to watch.

(Note – Cameron Carter-Vickers and Gio Reyna are both injured and did not travel with their teams today.)

Chelsea vs. AC Milan

Who: Christian Pulisic, Sergiño Dest

When: Noon, PST

Scouting Report: Both US stars have been coming off the bench lately, with Pulisic currently in an upswing and Dest still regaining his form. This should be a tense match between a hot AC Milan and lukewarm Chelsea. It’s a home game for the Blues – that might be enough for them to stop a more energized squad.

Prediction: 1-1

Juventus vs. Maccabi Haifa

Who: Weston McKennie, Josh Cohen

When: Noon, PST

Scouting Report: This is the only game where both Americans will likely start. Cohen, who isn’t even on Berhalter’s radar, is the GK for Israeli squad Maccabi Haifa, who won’t survive the group stages. Surprisingly, Juve might not survive the group either, and desperately need a win against Haifa. US middie Weston McKennie has a goal and an assist in this season’s UCL – watch for him to bag one or two more this afternoon.

Prediction: 3-1, Juventus

Benfica vs. PSG

Who: John Brooks

When: Noon, PST

Scouting Report: USMNT defender John Brooks, who only transferred to Portuguese UCL dark horse Benfica in the last few months, has come off the bench in the last two games and put in solid performances. Benfica’s D will have their feet full with PSG’s three-headed monster of Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar – expect Brooks to get some fantastic World Cup training if he comes in.

Prediction: 2-1, Benfica

Featured Image: DALL-E 2 Generated Image/UEFAChampionsLeague/DM

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