Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic became the first American male to appear in a Champions League Final. Not long later, he became the first USMNT player to lift the big-eared trophy after participating in the final, helping Chelsea over the line in a 1-0 defeat of Manchester City in a tight, edgy affair on Saturday at Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal. 

An American is guaranteed to win the men’s UEFA Champions League for the first time ever on Saturday, but they won’t do it as starters. Both Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen were left on the bench to start the match between Chelsea and Manchester City, which kicks off at 3 p.m. ET from Portugal.

Is Pulisic Starting Champions League Final?

No, he’s on the bench.

PORTO, Portugal — Manchester City face Chelsea in the Champions League final on Saturday. Here are five key tactical battles to watch out for.

Manchester City vs. Chelsea — Champions League Final Preview

WILL CHELSEA'S WING-BACKS BE ABLE TO ATTACK?

Thomas Tuchel's system at Chelsea has been designed to give licence to the wing backs to attack, whether it be Cesar Azpilicueta or Reece James on the right and Ben Chilwell or Marcos Alonso on the left, the German has players who are effective in transition and provide width.

All eyes will be on Manchester City and Chelsea for the men’s Champions League Final on Saturday, May 29, 2021, in Porto. The grandest annual spectacle in the sports world pits two English clubs in competition for the iconic big-eared trophy, and a USMNT player is guaranteed to win for the first time. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch Champions League Final in USA. 

On Monday Gregg Berhalter announced the 23 players that will represent the USMNT in Denver at the CONCACAF Nations League finals. The list comprised of four players from Major League Soccer and the other 19 scattered across Europe.

Here's the full roster.

USMNT Nations League Roster

Goalkeepers:

Zack Steffen (Manchester City)

Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge)

David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders:

John Brooks (Wolfsburg)

Tim Ream (Fulham)

Matt Miazga (Anderlecht)

Needing a win to be absolutely sure of being one of four Premier League Champions League qualifiers, Chelsea was garbage against Aston Villa on Sunday. But thanks to London rival Tottenham, the Blues clinched UCL qualification, backing into the top four to ensure Christian Pulisic will return to Europe’s premier club competition next season. 

Has an American player won the Champions League? Yes. (Come May 29, 2021.)

It hadn’t happened before (although Ali Krieger, Gina Lewandowski and Alex Morgan have won the UWCL), but with Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea playing Zack Steffen’s Manchester City in the 2020-21 Champions League Final, the answer to that question is now a foregone conclusion.

There will obviously be some hotshots among us who’ll question the contributions of the USMNT stars. Steffen is Ederson’s understudy and only started City’s final group match against Marseille, keeping a clean sheet.