Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest have both been fighting for minutes with their clubs this season, and the stars could be aligning to pit them against each other on Europe’s biggest stage.
Pulisic and Chelsea face off against Dest and AC Milan in Champions League action on Wednesday in a match both clubs need as they battle for a place in the knockout rounds in a wide-open Group E.
Pulisic is coming off recording the game-winning assist in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. The USMNT star has not started a match for Chelsea in more than a month, but could be in line to earn his first start under new manager Graham Potter.
Dest is still searching for his first start for AC Milan, but that opportunity should arrive soon due to a rash of injuries at the Serie A champions. Starting right back Davide Calabria is set to miss the rest of 2022 with a hamstring injury, which could open the door for Dest to start against Pulisic and Chelsea on Wednesday, as well as potentially on Saturday against Weston McKennie and Juventus.
McKennie and Juve take on Josh Cohen and Maccabi Haifa in another Champions League clash featuring Americans on both sides. McKennie recorded his first assist of the season to help Juve to a crucial Serie A win on Sunday and will be looking to lead the Bianconeri to a win that they desperately need after losing their first two group-stage matches.
Elsewhere in Europe, Matt Turner and Arsenal face Bodo Glimt on Thursday in Europa League while Jordan Pefok and Union Berlin take on Malmo and Richie Ledezma and PSV face FC Zurich. Gio Reyna and Cameron Carter-Vickers are set to miss Champions League matches through injury.
In England, Auston Trusty and Zack Steffen will go head-to-head in EFL Championship action while Josh Sargent and Norwich City visit Reading in a top-three clash.
In Scotland, Joe Efford’s status remains a doubt for Motherwell.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad action:
Europe
Champions League
Christian Pulisic and Chelsea host Sergino Dest and AC Milan on Wednesday.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic visit RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Gio Reyna and Borussia Dortmund visit Sevilla on Wednesday.
Weston McKennie and Juventus host Josh Cohen and Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday.
John Brooks and Benfica host Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Malik Tillman, James Sands and Rangers visit Liverpool on Tuesday.
Owen Otasowie and Club Brugge host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt host Tottenham on Tuesday.
Europa League
Matt Turner and Arsenal host Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
Jordan Pefok and Union Berlin visit Romain Gall and Malmo on Thursday.
Mix Diskerud and Omonia Nicosia host Manchester United on Thursday.
Henry Wingo and Ferencvaros visit Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.
Richie Ledezma and PSV visit FC Zurich on Thursday.
England
Championship
Josh Sargent and Norwich City visit Reading on Tuesday.
Lynden Gooch and Sunderland host Blackpool on Wednesday.
Auston Trusty and Birmingham City host Zack Steffen, Matthew Hoppe and Middlesbrough on Wednesday.
Ethan Horvath and Luton Town host Duane Holmes and Huddersfield on Tuesday.
Matthew Olosunde and Preston North End host West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.
Vaughn Covil and Hull City host Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
Daryl Dike is OUT (Injury) for West Brom.
Scotland
Premiership
Joe Efford and Motherwell visit Ross County on Tuesday.
Argentina
Liga Profesional
Alan Sonora and Independiente host Central Cordoba on Wednesday.