Reyna, Dest & the USMNT players who are in the Champions League last 16
The Champions League 2020-21 knockout stage has arrived and there are a number of intriguing match-ups as Europe's elite battle it out for supremacy.
Littered among some of the top teams are a selection of U.S. national team stars, with a number of players notably competing across the Bundesliga, La Liga and the Premier League.
Goal takes a look at the USMNT players who are involved in the Champions League last 16 this season.
Tyler Adams | RB Leipzig
Tyler Adams made his first-ever Champions League start for RB Leipzig in disappointing circumstances as the Bundesliga side suffered a 2-0 first-leg defeat against Liverpool in the last 16. The midfielder's experience of the competition prior to that point included substitute appearances against the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage.
Konrad de la Fuente | Barcelona
A regular for Barcelona's youth and B teams, Konrad de la Fuente has featured in the Champions League twice this season, coming on as a substitute in victories over Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros. The teenage forward is still on the periphery of the first team at Camp Nou, but will be eager to make a mark at the club in the coming months.
Sergino Dest | Barcelona
Netherlands-born Sergino Dest shone for Ajax in the Champions League in 2019-20 and has been a firm fixture for Barcelona in the 2020-21 edition of the competition. A flying wing-back, Dest scored for the Catalan giants in their 4-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev last November.
The 20-year-old started Barca's chastening 4-1 defeat in the first leg of the last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain, but endured a difficult evening as Kylian Mbappe and Co. ran riot. One moment of the game, when Gerard Pique could be heard reminding Dest that Mbappe was right-footed, was a reminder that the right-back still has plenty to learn and he will be keen to improve in the second leg.
Weston McKennie | Juventus
Since making the switch to Juventus from Schalke, Weston McKennie has been impressive and he will be keen to play a part in the last 16 of the Champions League as the Bianconeri take on Porto. McKennie featured prominently enough for Juve in the group stage and even bagged a goal in December's 3-0 win over Barcelona.
Christian Pulisic | Chelsea
Without doubt the star attraction of the USMNT, Christian Pulisic could be involved in Chelsea's upcoming last-16 showdown with Atletico Madrid. The skilful attacker has endured a stop-start season with the Blues, but did make three appearances in the Champions League group stage, scoring in the 4-0 win over Krasnodar.
The Premier League side are under new management now with Thomas Tuchel at the helm and Pulisic will be hopeful that his previous experience playing under the German coach at Borussia Dortmund can be emulated.
Giovanni Reyna | Borussia Dortmund
Teen sensation Giovanni Reyna made six appearances in the group stage of the Champions League for Borussia Dortmund and will be desperate to make an impact in the knockout stage, starting with the last-16 tie against Sevilla.
The playmaker has chipped in with a few goals in the Bundesliga, but has yet to do so on the continent - though he does have one assist to his name. Reyna forms part of an impressive front line at Dortmund, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham also starring for the German club.
Joe Scally | Borussia Monchengladbach
Joe Scally is a new signing at Borussia Monchengladbach and the last-16 tie against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City may come too soon for him. A right-back, who is still only 18 years of age, Scally joined the Bundesliga outfit from Major League Soccer team New York City.
"I want to learn as much as possible" 🐎
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) January 13, 2021
New signing @jjscally_10 on his start to life at Borussia ➡️ https://t.co/q5Sm60shu2#DieFohlen pic.twitter.com/klA8XTz4pu
Zack Steffen | Man City
Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen has tasted action in the Champions League and Premier League this season, but the 25-year-old remains very much the understudy to Pep Guardiola's first-choice shot-stopper Ederson. Steffen's potential involvement in the upcoming tie against Borussia Monchengladbach will depend on Ederson's availability, but he has shown his worth by keeping a clean sheet against Marseille, as well as featuring in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.