Twelve teams are left in the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League, with games set to return this August across Europe. Meanwhile, another 16 teams are left in this year’s Europa League as teams pursue silverware later this summer.
Here’s a rundown of all MLS, US men’s national team and Canada men’s national team connections to watch for as games get underway. The draws were held Friday, and several Round of 16 draws still have to be completed before the quarterfinal field is locked in.
Champions League
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs. Lyon/Juventus
USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen may be able to feature for Manchester City after returning to the Premier League club from his loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf. Teams can register up to three new “List A” players, though they’re limited to 25 such players in total and others can be removed to make room. Those players also have to already be registered and eligible to play for the club at domestic level since Feb. 3. Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg, so the job is half done.
RB Leipzig vs. Atletico Madrid
A serious challenge awaits USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams when his Bundesliga club faces Atletico Madrid, runners-up in 2013-14 and 2015-16. Adams is a New York Red Bulls product who recently concluded his first full season in Germany. His Leipzig team reached this stage by beating Tottenham 4-0 on aggregate.
Napoli/Barcelona vs. Chelsea/Bayern Munich
Focus turns to the Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich matchup, since those clubs respectively feature USMNT midfielder Christian Pulisic and Vancouver Whitecaps export/Canada star Alphonso Davies. Bayern beat Chelsea 3-0 in the first leg, and it’ll also be worth tracking if FC Dallas product Chris Richards features at center back for the Bundesliga champions.
Europa League
Shakhtar Donetsk/Wolfsburg vs. Basel/Frankfurt
Wolfsburg has two USMNT players in center back John Anthony Brooks and attacking midfielder Ulysses Llanez. They dropped a 2-1 decision against Donetsk in the first leg. As for Frankfurt, they boast USMNT defender Timothy Chandler. Their first leg also ended in defeat, a 3-0 result at home against Basel.
