Only two American footballers have lifted football’s most prestigious club trophy.
Americans have a long history of dominance in various sports, but when it comes to football, they have yet to conquer the European stage. The UEFA Champions League, the pinnacle of club football, has seen only a handful of Americans compete, let alone lift the prestigious trophy.
In this article, we’ll take a look at two American players who have achieved this remarkable feat.
Jovan Kirovski
Jovan Kirovski, the son of Macedonian immigrants, had a relatively underrated career in American soccer history. He kickstarted his journey in the football world by joining Manchester United’s academy at the tender age of 16. However, he never made it to the senior squad and subsequently moved to the German giants, Borussia Dortmund.
During Dortmund‘s triumphant run in the 1996-97 season, Kirovski made appearances in two group stage matches, tallying a total of 27 minutes on the field but failing to find the back of the net. When it came to the final, Kirovski was relegated to the bench, not even making an appearance. Nevertheless, he became the first American to win the Champions League as Dortmund triumphed over Zinedine Zidane’s Juventus.
Kirovski would later make history by becoming the first American to score in the Champions League, finding the back of the net for Dortmund in a group stage match against Sparta Prague. His European journey was brief, playing only 29 times in four years for Dortmund before moving on to Sporting CP in Portugal and English clubs Crystal Palace and Birmingham City. He eventually returned to the United States to play for the Colorado Rapids and the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and currently serves as the Technical Director for the Galaxy.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic’s connection to Kirovski runs deep. He embarked on his European adventure with Borussia Dortmund, rising through their prestigious academy and becoming a star for the senior team. Chelsea made history by making him the most expensive American footballer in 2019 when they acquired him for $73 million.
Pulisic was no stranger to the Champions League when he arrived in England. During his four seasons in Germany, he participated in 22 Champions League matches and scored twice. In the 2021 Champions League final, Pulisic became the second American to win the trophy, a moment of great significance for American football. Unlike Kirovski, Pulisic played a pivotal role for Chelsea, coming off the bench in the final against Manchester City and making an impact during the last 20 minutes.
Leading up to the 2021 final, Pulisic had already appeared in 14 Champions League matches and scored three times. His presence on the field as Chelsea secured victory marked a significant achievement for American club soccer.
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