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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