Two key players from the US men’s national team will no longer play a role in the UEFA Champions League competition this season.
Weston McKennie scored to force extra time for Juventus against Galatarasay, but the Turkish visitors would outlast their Serie A homeland 7-5 on aggregate despite a 3-2 defeat on the night.
Manuel Locatelli’s penalty goal in the 37th minute gave Juventus an early lifeline in the tie before the Bianconeri would use a rally late in the second half to force extra time.
Despite Lloyd Kelly’s red card four minutes after half-time, Juventus fell one goal behind after Federico Gatti made it 2-0 that evening. McKennie played his own number with eight minutes to play in regulation, heading home at the back post after Juventus kept a move alive in the Galatasaray box.
McKennie now has nine goals in 2026 and 13 this season in all competitions.
However, Galatasaray would score in each extra period, putting the tie out of reach. Victor Osimhen’s cool finish in the 105th minute regained Galatasaray’s overall advantage before Baris Alper Yilmaz added an insurance goal with one minute to play.
Despite Juventus’ valiant efforts in Turin, they would disappear from the competition in the play-off round.
McKennie played the full 120 minutes at left back, continuing a great campaign for him.
Juventus will try to turn around the setbacks in Serie A against AS Roma on Sunday.
Folarin Balogun starts, but Monaco is ousted by PSG
AS Monaco’s run in the tournament came to an end on Wednesday at the home of one of its more recent rivals.
Paris Saint-Germain outlasted Monaco 5-4 on aggregate, despite the visitors earning a 2-2 draw in the second leg that evening. American forward Folarin Balogun started and played 74 minutes in the match, registering one shot on goal and winning three matches.
Maghnes Akilouche put Sébastien Pocagnoli’s side ahead before half-time, but PSG would use a couple of quick goals after the break to turn the momentum back in their favor.
Marquinhos leveled the match at 1-1 within the hour, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG ahead six minutes later.
Jordan Teze would pull a late goal back for Monaco, but that would only be a consolation in the tie.
Monaco, who are in eighth place, resume their Ligue 1 schedule against Angers on Saturday.
Johnny Cardoso, Malik TillmanAnd Yunus Moses are the only American players still playing in the Champions League this season.
The draw for the eighth finals will take place on Friday.
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