USMNT midweek viewing guide: European competition ramps up

As the Gold Cup continues, there are nearly 50 American players in action this midweek, across Champions League qualifying, Europa Conference League, MLS, friendlies, and Copa Sudamericana.

Let’s get into it! Here’s a snapshot of USMNT players in action:

Tuesday

• Dinamo Zagreb v Omonia Nicosia, 2p: Mix Diskerud recently signed with Omonia in Cyprus, but it remains to be seen if exit paperwork will be filled out in time for him to suit up in their Champions League qualifier.
• Ferencvaros v FK Žalgiris, 2p: Henry Wingo logged 180’ as Ferencvaros won their first round of Champions League qualifying 6-1 on aggregate.
• Northampton Town v Nottingham Forest, 2:45p: Ethan Horvath signed with Forest a week ago today; can he steal minutes from incumbent ‘keeper Samba in their first friendly since?

Also in action:

• Eintracht Frankfurt v Giessen, 10a: Timmy Chandler could feature in Frankfurt’s friendly.
• Telstar SC v Heracles Almelo, 10a: Luca de la Torre and Heracles have back-to-back friendlies Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Preston North End v Bolton Wanderers, 2p: Matt Olosunde made his first start for Preston in a friendly a week ago today, after signing June 30. This is also a friendly.
• Vancouver Whitecaps v Houston Dynamo, 10p: Memo Rodriguez will look to key Houston’s attack.

Wednesday

• Trisetina v AS Roma, 12p: Bryan Reynolds was involved in 2 goals in 45’ in a friendly last week. Can he continue to impress new boss Jose Mourinho?
• Venezia v Top 11 Auronzo, 12:30p: Tanner Tessmann just arrived at Venezia from FC Dallas.
• FC Barcelona v Gimnastic, 1p: Sergiño Dest and Barcelona got a big boost by re-signing Lionel Messi, but Dest may be one of their sales to afford Messi, with Bayern and Arsenal rumored.
• Slovan Bratislava v Young Boys, 2:30p: Jordan Pefok and Young Boys begin their Champions League qualifying campaign on the road in Slovakia.
• Colchester v Tottenham Hotspur, 2:45p: Cameron Carter-Vickers has been widely rumored to leave Spurs this summer, but for now he’s been getting minutes in their friendlies.
• PSV Eindhoven v Galatasaray, 3p: An all-American Champions League qualifier, with DeAndre Yedlin at Galatasaray (rumored to move to MLS), Richie Ledezma at PSV (still not back from injury). George Bello is also rumored to join Galatasaray from Atlanta.
• SC Braga v Marseille, 3p: Konrad de la Fuente has been lighting things up in preseason for Marseille. Hopefully he continues his strong start as the season edges closer.
• Chicago Fire v DC United, 8p on ESPN+, fuboTV: Even with the Gold Cup ongoing, DC features interesting young Americans Kevin Paredes and Moses Nyeman.
• Colorado Rapids v FC Dallas, 9p on ESPN+: Ricardo Pepi, Jesús Ferreira, Paxton Pomykal, and Justin Che face Cole Bassett and Colorado.

Also in action:

• Heracles Almelo v PAOK Thessaloniki, 8a: The friendlies keep coming for Heracles and Luca de la Torre.
• Valencia v Atromitos, 3p: Chance for Yunus Musah to play a friendly with Valencia.
• Inter Miami v New England Revolution, 7:30p on ESPN+: Could Indiana Vassilev make his Miami debut after joining on loan from Aston Villa?
• NYCFC v CF Montréal, 7:30p on ESPN+: Djordje Mihailovic and Mason Toye face Keaton Parks, Alfredo Morales, and Tayvon Gray.
• Toronto FC v New York Red Bulls, 7:30p on ESPN+, fuboTV: Jozy Altidore scored his second goal of the season so now he’s relevant again? Caden Clark could make his return from injury for the Red Bulls alongside Kyle Duncan and John Tolkin.
• Sporting KC v San Jose Earthquakes, 8:30p on ESPN+, fuboTV: Cade Cowell leads the Quakes attack, Tim Melia will defend the net for Kansas City.
• Real Salt Lake v LA Galaxy, 10p on ESPN+: Julian Araujo and the Galaxy face David Ochoa and RSL.
• Portland Timbers v LAFC, 10:30p on FS1, ESPN+, fuboTV: Jeremy Ebobisse matches up against Marco Farfan.

Thursday

• Dinamo Tbilisi v Maccabi Haifa, 12:30p: Josh Cohen and Haifa have plunged from Champions League qualifying into the Europa Conference League.
• FK Suduva v Raków Częstochowa, 1p: Ben Lederman and Raków begin their Conference League campaign.
• Aberdeen FC v BK Häcken, 2:45p: Christian Ramirez could get his first taste of European action in the Conference League.
• Independiente v Santos, 6:15p on beIN Sports, fuboTV, Fanatiz: Alan Soñora has played in 3 of 6 for Independiente in the Copa Sudamericana; they are into the round of 16.
• Orlando City v Philadelphia Union, 7:30p on ESPN+, fuboTV: Chris Mueller and Andrés Perea face the Philadelphia Union’s cadre of youngsters, including Leon Flach, Jack McGlynn, and Quinn Sullivan.
• Internacional v Olimpia, 8:30p on fuboTV, Fanatiz: Johnny Cardoso has played in Internacional’s last 7 league games, but has yet to feature in Copa Libertadores action.

Also in action:

• Benfica v Lille, 1p: Tim Weah could see friendly action for Lille.
• Querétaro v Club América, 10p on TUDN, UniMás, fuboTV: Joe Gallardo and Querétaro kick off the Liga MX Apertura. Gallardo made 7 appearances in the Clausura.

That’s it! Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below. Let’s see who impresses this week!