Americans Abroad Midweek Preview: Balogun, McKennie, and more

AS Monaco will seek to claim a major scalp in UEFA Champions League play this week.

Folarin Balogun and Monaco face off with Real Madrid in a crucial UCL match for both clubs.

Balogun has totaled eight goals in all competitions for the French side this season, which is four fewer than he tallied over the last two seasons combined. The U.S. men’s national team striker has remained a consistent threat in front of goal for Monaco, despite hitting a dry spell at times.

After suffering a 3-1 Ligue 1 loss to Lorient on Friday, pressure will be on Sebastien Pocagnoli’s squad to deliver a much-better performance at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. Especially with Los Blancos under a worrying run of form of late, Balogun could be the X-Factor in Monaco grabbing points from their trip to Spain.

Elsewhere in Europe, Weston McKennie and Juventus take on Benfica in Champions League play. Tim Weah and Marseille host Liverpool. Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Bologna in Europa League action.

In England, Josh Sargent and Norwich City take on George Campbell and West Bromwich Albion in EFL Championship play. Patrick Agyemang and Derby County face off with Charlton Athletic.

Elsewhere, all six USWNT players could feature this week in the Women’s League Cup semifinals. Sam Coffey and Manchester City face Alyssa Thompson and Chelsea while Emily Fox and Arsenal visit Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Manchester United.

Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:

Europe

Champions League

Weston McKennie and Juventus host Josh Wynder and Benfica on Wednesday.

Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen visit Olympiakos on Tuesday.

Folarin Balogun and Monaco visit Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Sergino Dest and PSV visit Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Johnny Cardoso and Atletico Madrid visit Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Tim Weah and Marseille host Liverpool on Wednesday.

Yunus Musah and Atalanta host Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt visit Qarabag FK on Wednesday.

Ricardo Pepi is OUT (Arm Injury) for PSV.

Europa League

Tanner Tessmann and Lyon visit Young Boys on Thursday.

Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Bologna on Thursday.

Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos visit Ferencvaros on Thursday.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is OUT (Achilles Injury) for Celtic.

England

Championship

Patrick Agyemang and Derby County visit Charlie Kelman and Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.

Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough visit Stoke City on Wednesday.

Haji Wright and Coventry City host Millwall on Tuesday.

George Campbell, Daryl Dike and West Bromwich Albion host Josh Sargent and Norwich City on Tuesday.

Women’s League Cup

Sam Coffey and Manchester City host Catarina Macario, Naomi Girma, Alyssa Thompson and Chelsea on Wednesday.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Manchester United visit Emily Fox and Arsenal on Wednesday.