Champions League Returns With USMNT Stars In Spotlight

The UEFA Champions League is back with a bang, as Matchday 7 of the league phase kicks off this week, bringing with it a wave of excitement, high-stakes drama, and a host of American stars eager to make their mark on Europe’s grandest stage. After a month-and-a-half-long hiatus, fans have been counting the days, and now the wait is over. The action resumes on January 20 and 21, 2026, with CBS Sports and Paramount+ once again taking center stage for coverage, ensuring that every pivotal moment is just a click away for viewers across the United States.

As the tournament enters its penultimate round of the league phase, the tension is palpable. No team has been eliminated yet, and not a single club has clinched a seeded spot in the knockout rounds. With two matches left for each team, every goal, every save, and every tactical tweak could mean the difference between glory and heartbreak. The stakes simply couldn't be higher.

Tuesday, January 20, promises a packed schedule, with early action as Kairat faces Club Brugge at 10:30 a.m. ET. But the real fireworks begin at 3 p.m. ET, when European giants and upstarts alike take the pitch for a flurry of showdowns. Tottenham squares off against Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal hosts Ajax, Sporting CP welcomes PSG, and Real Madrid locks horns with AS Monaco. Olympiacos will battle Bayer Leverkusen, Inter meets Arsenal in what could be a tactical masterclass, and Copenhagen faces Napoli. Each match will be streamed live on Paramount+, ensuring fans don’t miss a beat.

For U.S. soccer fans, there’s an extra layer of intrigue. American players are set to play pivotal roles across the continent. Malik Tillman lines up for Bayer Leverkusen against Olympiacos, while Folarin Balogun is expected to feature for AS Monaco as they take on the mighty Real Madrid. The presence of U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) talent is turning heads, and for good reason: these athletes are not just participating—they’re influencing outcomes at the highest level.

Wednesday, January 21, continues the soccer feast. The early slot sees Qarabag take on Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray face Atlético Madrid at 12:45 p.m. ET, with Johnny Cardoso representing American interests in Turkey. The 3 p.m. ET window is jam-packed once again: Slavia Praha hosts FC Barcelona, Marseille welcomes Liverpool—where Tim Weah is expected to feature—Newcastle faces PSV with Sergiño Dest in the mix, and Bayern Munich challenges Union SG. Juventus battles Benfica, with Weston McKennie aiming to anchor the midfield for the Italian giants. Chelsea meets Pafos, and Atalanta squares off against Athletic Club, where Yunus Musah is set to bring his trademark energy and creativity.

It’s not just the Champions League that’s back in the spotlight. The Europa League also resumes, and there’s no shortage of American involvement there either. On Thursday, Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Bologna, while Tanner Tessmann and Lyon travel to face Young Boys. Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos head to Ferencváros, and Anrie Chase’s RB Salzburg hosts Basel. These fixtures offer further proof of the growing influence of U.S. players in European football’s top competitions.

Injuries, as always, play their part in shaping the week’s storylines. Tyler Adams, a key figure for Bournemouth and the USMNT, remains sidelined with a knock but is expected back in late February. Ricardo Pepi, another rising star, is out with a broken arm and targeting a mid-March return. Cameron Carter-Vickers, unfortunately, is out for the season with an Achilles injury—a blow for both club and country.

Yet, the American contingent remains deep and resilient. Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Folarin Balogun, Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Tim Weah, and Sergiño Dest are all poised to play crucial roles for their respective clubs. Their performances over these next two matchdays could prove decisive not just for their teams, but for their own burgeoning reputations on the world stage.

Beyond the pitch, CBS Sports Golazo Network is delivering wall-to-wall coverage. From the flagship Morning Footy show (weekdays 8-10 a.m. ET) to Attacking Third, focusing on the women’s game, and Call it What You Want, which dissects all things USMNT, fans are spoiled for choice. Scoreline, the network’s daily highlights and news program, ensures that even the busiest supporters can stay up to speed with the latest results, goals, and talking points. With streaming available on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+, access has never been easier—or more comprehensive.

But let’s not forget the historical context. The Champions League remains the pinnacle of club soccer, a competition that has produced legends, unforgettable moments, and seismic upsets. This season, with the league phase expanded and every team still in the hunt, unpredictability reigns supreme. Will the established powerhouses like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus assert their dominance, or will we see a new contender emerge from the shadows? Can the American stars continue their upward trajectory, or will the pressure of the continental stage prove too much?

For fans of the USMNT, this week is a showcase of progress. Just a decade ago, American players struggled for meaningful minutes in Europe’s top competitions. Now, they are not only present—they are pivotal. As GOAL noted, "there is still everything to play for." These final two league-phase matches will test nerves, tactics, and squad depth. Every point is precious, and every slip-up could spell disaster for clubs with knockout ambitions.

Elsewhere, the week is packed with action for U.S. players in England’s Championship, Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, and even friendlies across Europe. While Tyler Adams and Ricardo Pepi recover, others like Haji Wright, Ethan Horvath, Josh Sargent, and George Campbell are flying the flag in domestic competitions, keeping the American pipeline to Europe as strong as ever.

As the Champions League and Europa League return, the message is clear: buckle up, because the race for European supremacy is wide open. With American stars in the thick of the action and every team fighting for survival or seeding, the next few days promise drama, passion, and perhaps a few surprises. Don’t look away—you might just miss the moment that changes everything.

With the league phase nearing its conclusion and all to play for, fans can expect fireworks, heartbreak, and, above all, world-class football as the Champions League resumes this week.