For some it was a chance to reassert their value with timely goals, for others it was a missed opportunity — or even last-ditch heartbreak.
The league phase of the Champions League drew to a dramatic close yesterday, with progress secured for most of the USMNT contingent in Europe.
Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso and Yunus Musah all featured as their teams finished in the table’s play-off positions, ensuring another chance to clinch their place in the last-16 phase through next month’s play-offs.
Weah’s late heartbreak
Despite a memorable debut for his new club in this season’s competition, when he scored against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in September, Tim Weah of Marseille was left forlorn on Wednesday.
Just when Marseille thought they had scraped through to the play-off round, they were eliminated.
Despite losing 3-0 in Belgium to Club Brugge, the French outfit headed into added time in 24th position, narrowly above the elimination zone. Only goal difference kept them above Benfica, who are managed by two-time Champions League winner Jose Mourinho, before a staggering finale in Lisbon.
The Portuguese side’s goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a sensational 98th-minute header that changed everything. It sealed a 4-2 win over nine-man Real Madrid, who dropped from the automatic qualification places into the play-offs, and moved Benfica above Marseille at the last gasp.
At least when he recovers from his disappointment, he will not forget the earlier part of this season’s Champions League, especially that fine goal against Real Madrid.
TIMOTHY WEAH SILENCES THE BERNABÉU! 🤫
What a moment for the #USMNT forward 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9IgCp3TkIN
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 16, 2025
That powerful finish stirred memories of how his iconic goalscoring father George had announced his arrival at another French club, Paris Saint-Germain, on his Champions League debut in 1994.
In-form McKennie and Balogun progress
Less dramatically, McKennie’s Juventus and Balogun’s Monaco played out a cagey stalemate that meant both teams head into the play-offs.
It may ultimately have been a quiet last league-stage fixture for McKennie but he had already made his mark on this competition. His previous three goals in three Champions League games were a streak timed as perfectly as his finishing, coming in the context of talks to extend his Juventus contract beyond this summer.
The Texan was not the only American who enjoyed an important scoring streak. Balogun notched in three consecutive Champions League games in November and December, including the only goal in wins against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray, which helped Monaco progress.
Weston McKennie warms up for Juventus ahead of facing Monaco (Valery Hache / AFP via Getty Images)
Balogun thought he had scored another vital strike during the first half against Juventus at Stade Louis II in a game Monaco could not afford to lose.
But a well-taken finish was ruled out for his foul on Pierre Kalulu in the build-up, and the Ligue 1 side’s nerves remained on edge until the end, even if Juventus struggled to create anything.
Injured Pepi watches as PSV eliminated
Ricardo Pepi also scored three times for PSV in the Champions League this season. The 23-year-old seized the opportunity of becoming his Dutch club’s first-choice centre-forward, after previously playing understudy to veteran Luuk de Jong.
A broken arm earlier this month may have curtailed Pepi’s involvement in the league phase, but his performances prompted clubs who have been monitoring him, such as Premier League side Fulham, to step up their interest.
Whether he leaves the Netherlands remains to be seen, but Pepi and his compatriot Sergino Dest won’t be going any further in this season’s Champions League. The defending Eredivisie champions lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich, meaning they were knocked out.
Pepi and Balogun will compete to lead the line for the USMNT in the World Cup, but Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield is another area with strong options.
Cardoso struggles continue
In that respect, Johnny Cardoso will have hoped for better exposure in Europe’s elite cup competition so far this term. The 24-year-old has struggled to break into Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side, and started only one of their eight league-phase games. He came on in the second half of their 2-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday.
Cardoso will at least get the chance to feature in the play-offs.
Tillman at the double
Another gifted young USMNT star carved out his own notable record. Malik Tillman repeated the trick of doing what no other American has done before, by scoring twice in a Champions League tie on Wednesday.
His double against Villarreal helped Bayer Leverkusen to a 3-0 win and with that progress into the play-offs. They will now play either Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos for a place in the last 16.
It echoed his record-breaking brace in the competition for his previous team PSV, against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2024.
Musah makes rare start
Yunus Musah will compete with Tillman for a midfield slot in Mauricio Pochettino’s side this summer, and he will also get at least one more chance to shine in the Champions League beforehand.
Musah made his second start in the league phase for his Italian side Atalanta in a 1-0 defeat at Union Saint-Gilloise, but that did not prevent them making the play-off stage.
The 23-year-old had a quiet game, and with only two Serie A starts so far this season, he might be concerned by his lack of minutes thus far in an important season.