Christian Pulisic and Chelsea will attempt to defend their continental crown, and Gio Reyna is poised for a big year in Germany. Josh Sargent found a new home in England. Weston McKennie will partner with Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo while Sergiño Dest will make do after the departure of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. In all, the U.S. men’s presence in the most competitive habitat is at a record high.
That growth swells to the sideline, too. On Sunday, Wisconsin-born, Princeton-educated, MLS-trained Jesse Marsch will begin his head coaching tenure with RB Leipzig, a German Bundesliga contender.