A record five Americans featured on the teamsheets for the UCL match, with three starting – here's what we learned
The Juventus vs. PSV UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday was one for the record books when it comes to the U.S. men's national team.
An unprecedented five Americans showcased in the match, as Weston McKennie and Tim Weah featured for Juventus while Malik Tillman, Richard Ledezma and Ricardo Pepi all played a role for PSV. The UEFA Champions League is arguably the best club competition in the world and this was the first time five Americans took the pitch in a single match.
The match also displayed the difference in quality between Serie A and Eredivise as Juventus were able to largely cruise past PSV in a 3-1 win. Goals from Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie and Nico Gonzalez earned them three points, while PSV scored a late goal back from Ismael Saibari.
Here are GOAL's biggest takeaways from Tuesday's match.
AFPMotta gives McKennie a chance to prove himself
McKennie opted to stay at Juventus this season, leaving more questions than answers. After a summer filled with transfer drama, speculation over his future in Turin and rumors galore, the 26-year-old signed a contract extension with the Bianconeri and announced his commitment to the club through 2026 in late August.
He then went as an unused substitute in their first two Serie A matches of the season. Matchday 3 saw him earn 23 minutes off the bench, but in their fourth of the campaign, he again went as an unused sub.
More questions came about, especially after he stayed in Turin during the September FIFA international window, missing a camp with the USMNT (which was in the process of hiring Mauricio Pochettino as its new head coach). However, Tuesday marked a change in the pattern. His first start, his first moment to impress – and boy, did he.
A rock in the midfield, McKennie also was an attacking threat, bagging the second of the match en route to victory. The moment his strike hit the back of the net, the camera panned to a smiling Motta who was beaming; it seemed like a potential turning point for McKennie and the manager.
The Italian trusted McKennie in their first UCL match of the campaign, and he repaid him. You cannot ask for much more.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRichy Ledezma struggled under the lights
The 24-year-old American midfielder-turned-defender, has emerged out of the shadows in place of an injured Sergino Dest this season, struggled mightily on the big stage. On Juventus' opening goal, he was beaten rather stupendously by Yildiz, who danced past him to fire home what was a brilliant opener.
Ledezma earned his sixth-straight start for PSV after a really solid beginning to the season, but in his biggest test yet, he faltered. There were moments where he impressed, especially in forward transition with moving the ball, but in 1v1 defending, he found himself exposed more often than not.
Tuesday's match underscored how different the UCL will be in comparison to the Eredivisie this season for the Dutch side – and for Ledezma, it was a wakeup call if he wants to continue starting in that right back spot and potentially gain USMNT call ups.
AFPChiesa exit doesn't guarantee Weah minutes
Federico Chiesa's move to Liverpool in August opened up a starting spot in the attack for Juventus this season. Many thought it would immediately go to Weah, but the signing of Argentine international Nico Gonzalez has proved to be a larger roadblock for him than expected.
Weah started their Serie A opener on Aug. 19 and even scored a lovely goal – but he was forced off through injury, missing the September international window before returning to the pitch this past weekend for the .
He earned 23 minutes off the bench in a 0-0 draw with Empoli, and 21 off the bench Tuesday evening. Perhaps it's too early to read into the situation, especially with his three-week layoff, but it's now become certain that nothing is a given on the right wing under Motta.
Weah will have to fight for minutes every week if he wants to feature regularly in their XI. If he doesn't, he might find playing time hard to come by.
Getty ImagesTillman and Pepi lacked drive
Overall, it was an evening to forget for PSV. Nobody played particularly well. Neither Pepi or Tillman stepped up, despite both featuring in the match, and that's a problem.
Tillman logged 90 minutes, starting from the opening whistle, while Pepi came off the bench in the 77th minute. The Dutch side earned a stoppage-time consolation goal, but neither were involved.
In 13 minutes off the bench, and stoppage, Pepi had just four total touches. Tillman, meanwhile, created just two total attacking chances across the entire match. Neither took the opportunity handed to them.
The UCL is a platform where moments are made and in a contest between five Americans across the board, the two PSV attackers underwhelmed the most, and left a ton be desired.