As an American fan of the game, the National Team is my favorite squad above any club allegiance. Since our best players and many promising youth players play in Europe for a bunch of different teams in different leagues, it can be hard to keep up with everyone. We’ll lay out a list of which European teams American fans should follow, as well as the key players on each team.
The following list is for the 2024-2025 season, and is subject to change with the winter transfer window in January 2025.
PSV Eindhoven
- Key Americans: Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman, Sergino Dest
- Youth player to watch: Richie Ledezma
- How to watch
- Dutch League: some games are available on ESPN+
- Champions League: all games are available on Paramount+
PSV Eindhoven, led by Dutch-American former US National Team player Earnie Stewart, who currently serves as their technical director, is home to the most US players of any team in Europe.
The Dutch league has made it a sustainable business model to nurture the best young talent from around the world to sell to the bigger clubs and leagues in Europe. PSV Eindhoven is giving these four American players a visible platform to show that they deserve a chance in a more competitive league.
For that reason, PSV probably won’t be a team to watch for Americans for too long, as a couple of these players will likely earn a move to a bigger team next season.
But if you can catch them this season, tune in. Especially for their Champions League matches. Pepi is having another strong season with 11 goals so far, even though he’s yet to lock down the full time starting number 9 role. Tillman has performed well this season too with 9 goals and 3 assists from his attacking midfield position, while Dest will make his return from an ACL injury in the Spring.
Richie Ledezma is an exciting prospect who is getting some minutes playing out of position at right back.
Here is a recap of a recent Champions League match where Pepi and Tillman featured heavily in the winning effort for PSV.
AC Milan
- Key Americans: Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah
- How to watch
- Serie A: Paramount+ and CBS
- Champions League: Paramount+
Going from the team with the most Americans to one with arguably the highest profile American players on the same team – AC Milan.
Although currently nursing a minor injury, Christian Pulisic is having a career season, putting up 8 goals and 5 assists so far in 19 games. Combined with his excellent season last year, he is on the cusp of becoming a world class attacking midfielder. Definitely a development to watch if you are a US soccer fan.
Yunus Musah is the other player to watch on this squad, as he has started to gain more minutes in various midfield roles (both in the middle and on the right). While still young, Musah is poised for a breakout season in the next year or two to establish himself as one of the best young midfielders in Europe.
Both play quite a few minutes, and Pulisic is a key attacker, which makes this the team to follow in Europe for American fans.
Juventus
- Key Americans: Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah
- How to watch
- Serie A: Paramount+ and CBS
- Champions League: Paramount+
Perennial Italian powerhouse Juventus boasts two Americans on its squad, both of whom are fighting for a consistent role in the team.
Weston McKennie has come back from the brink of irrelevance on this Juventus team, claiming his spot in each of the last two seasons after reportedly being discarded by the coaching staff. His workrate, dedication, and all-action play has proven valuable to this giant club currently undergoing a transition phase.
Tim Weah has filled a variety of roles for Juventus without locking down a specific spot on the team. Again, with this club in a transition phase, a consistent run of form could see him as a regular in this team.
Crystal Palace
- Key Americans: Chris Richards, Matt Turner
- How to watch
- Premier League: Peacock and NBC
On to the Premier League. Crystal Palace is home to two Americans with big roles for our national team, with both fighting for more prominent roles with their club.
Chris Richards has had a solid season and a half with Palace, but he’s recently lost his starting job and is seeing limited action. He should get back in the mix, which will be very important for the USMNT, as he is our best center back. The challenge of playing in the Premier League week in and week out is both exciting to watch and good for his progression.
Matt Turner is another story. He is firmly the number two goalkeeper and has barely seen any action all year. We definitely need him to get more playing time between now and the next World Cup if we hold out any hope for a deep run, as he is our best goalkeeper for now. Oh how we pine for the days of elite US goalkeepers.
If these two players can hold down a spot, it’s a must-watch team for US fans.
Fulham
- Key American: Antonee Robinson
- How to watch
- Premier League: Peacock and NBC
Fulham has had a surprisingly strong start to the season, with the performance of Antonee Robinson standing out in particular.
The US left back has established himself as one of the best left backs in the Premier League last season, with his good form continuing this year. His combination of athleticism, determination, and improving play on the ball makes these Fulham games worth watching for interested US fans.
Bournemouth
- Key American: Tyler Adams
- How to watch
- Premier League: Peacock and NBC
The ever tenacious Tyler Adams made his long-awaited return from injury recently, helping Bournemouth shoot up to a respectable mid-table position. As the US team captain, Adams is one of the most important players for the US, with his leadership, intensity, and work rate. He is definitely fun to watch in the fast-paced Premier League action.
If he can stay fit, he will be a key player for new coach Mauricio Pochettino, and important to our hope for making a deep run in the next World Cup.
Borussia Dortmund
- Key American: Giovanni Reyna
- Young Player to Watch: Cole Campbell
- How to watch
- Bundesliga: ESPN+
- Champions League: Paramount+
On the Bundesliga. This team is only worth watching for American fans if Gio Reyna can claim a starting role on this team. Dortmund has struggled a bit this season, and Reyna is just making his way back from a moderate injury (as is usually the case), so now is the time for him to step up and earn his spot.
If he can get some consistent starts and minutes, we’ll see him develop into an elite playmaker – he has that level of talent. But if he continues to get injured or not get his chance to play, then he’ll need to move clubs quickly. A definite crossroads for this supremely talented player.
Cole Campbell is a name you probably haven’t heard too much about, but the 18 year old forward has seen a few appearances in the first team this year. He is unlikely to establish himself as a regular this season, but the games could be worth watching if he gets a few minutes here and there. Definitely one to watch for the future.
Verdict
For true soccer fans, this is a lot of games to watch! So you’ll have to pick and choose your games accordingly (unless you have no family or relationship commitments). You’ll also have to wake up early on the weekends to catch these league games, and/or skip some work to watch the European games during the week.
Overall, we have more players than ever playing at a high level in Europe, which is great for our national team. Hopefully some of these players can take their game to the next level to give our fans some hope heading into the next World Cup on home soil.
