AMSTERDAM – Three American exports learned their Champions League group stage assignments in Thursday afternoon's draw, with FC Nordsjælland defender Michael Parkhurst (above) roped into Group E with holders Chelsea.
Also in that diffiuclt pool are Serie A Scudetto winners Juventus and Ukrainian champs Shakhtar Donetsk. While the match schedule is not yet set, Parkhurst & Co. will open group play on Sept. 18.
Among those set to kick off group play the following day are Jermaine Jones and Schalke. The Miners also have a sturdy challenge ahead, with Arsenal, Ligue 1 champs Montpellier and Greek title-holders Olympiakos.
Also down in the date book for a Sept. 19 opener are Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht. The Belgian holders will square off against AC Milan, Málaga and Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg.
UEFA Champions League Draw
Group A
Porto
Dinamo Kyiv
Paris Saint-Germain
Dinamo Zagreb
Group B
Arsenal
Schalke (Jermaine Jones)
Olympiakos
Montpellier
Group C
AC Milan
Zenit St. Petersburg
Anderlecht (Sacha Kljestan)
Málaga
Group D
Real Madrid
Manchester City
Ajax
Borussia Dortmund
Group E
Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk
Juventus
FC Nordsjælland (Michael Parkhurst)
Group F
Bayern Munich
Valencia
Lille
BATE Borisov
Group G
Barcelona
Benfica
Spartak Moscow
Celtic
Group H
Manchester United
Braga
Galatasaray
CFR Cluj
