Weston McKennie stood out at Juventus, Christian Pulisic lost his early spark at AC Milan, while Gio Reyna endured another disappointing club campaign as the USMNT’s top European-based footballers were evaluated.

And so, another European football season quietly draws to a close. The final matchday didn’t bring much in the way of surprises from an American point of view. The defeats were understandable, the wins satisfying. Overall, it was a season that promised plenty but delivered less than expected. Much of it felt like preparation for the upcoming World Cup, a phase of proving one’s worth. For some, like Weston McKennie, that meant stepping up their game; for others, like Christian Pulisic, it was about staying fit.

Now that the season has ended, where does everyone stand? Over 30 American players featured across Europe this year. What can be taken from their performances?

Even for those unlikely to be on the flight to represent the U.S. this summer, did their campaigns do enough to earn a move, a promotion, or greater recognition? Here’s how the season stacked up for Americans in Europe.

Outstanding Performances

Weston McKennie (Juventus): A genuine star for Juventus, McKennie carried the team through key stretches in both Serie A and Europe. His performances earned him a long-awaited new contract, befitting his game-changing influence at the club.

Folarin Balogun (Monaco): Virtually unstoppable in the latter part of the season, Balogun emerged as one of Ligue 1’s top attacking threats. With 13 goals in the league and another five in the Champions League, he finally delivered the form Monaco had been waiting for.

Tyler Adams (Bournemouth): Bournemouth’s European qualification surprised many, and Adams was central to that success. Despite battling injuries that kept him out for stretches, he put together his most complete season in midfield.

Auston Trusty (Celtic): The defender played a crucial role as Celtic enjoyed another trophy-laden campaign, winning two titles. Trusty’s consistency and composure have now earned him a maiden World Cup call-up.

Chris Richards (Crystal Palace): Reliable in the Premier League and influential in Palace’s European run. Although an injury will keep him out of the Conference League final, his performances were key to their success.

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough): Despite missing out on a World Cup spot, Morris made impressive strides, emerging as one of the Championship’s best midfielders. A playoff loss means another year in the division, but his progress was clear.

Ricardo Pepi (PSV): Injuries limited his minutes, yet Pepi delivered 16 goals in 1,415 Eredivisie minutes, including a late surge of seven goals in six matches. Another strong season for the young striker.

Haji Wright (Coventry City): Wright’s 17 goals powered Coventry’s promotion push, securing a place in the Premier League. Next season will reveal how he handles the top flight.

Patrick Agyemang (Derby County): A fine season featuring 10 goals before an Achilles injury halted his progress and dashed his World Cup dreams. His performances showed he clearly belongs at Championship level.

Gianluca Busio (Venezia): Helped Venezia return to Serie A and played a bigger role than ever in the midfield. The promotion offers him a chance to prove himself in Italy’s top division.

Strong Campaigns

Christian Pulisic (AC Milan): The USMNT’s talisman began brightly, but faded as Milan’s season unraveled. By the end, he was no longer a guaranteed starter. A summer reset awaits, beginning with the World Cup.

Sergino Dest (PSV): Another title with PSV but again hampered by injury spells. When fit, he performed at his usual high level, and fortunately, is expected to be ready for the summer tournament.

Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach): A model of consistency. Scally remained a dependable presence in the Bundesliga, strengthening his case for World Cup selection.

Mark McKenzie (Toulouse): Established himself as a solid Ligue 1 defender. Toulouse’s league position didn’t change much, but McKenzie looked far more assured this season.

Brenden Aaronson (Leeds): The main goal was to prove his ability in the Premier League. Aaronson showed flashes of brilliance, though he’ll aim to convert those into more goals and assists next term.

Timothy Weah (Marseille): His contribution went beyond statistics, filling multiple roles effectively. A versatile asset who remains valuable to both club and country.

John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel): One of the rare bright spots for his club before an injury struck. Tolkin looks ready for a move to a higher league.

Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid): The midfielder adapted well to the jump from Real Betis, though he wasn’t always a regular starter. A late-season injury ruled him out of the World Cup, a major blow for the USMNT.

Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split): After several solid years in Croatia, Pukstas appears ready to take the next step in his career and could be one to watch for the next international cycle.

Decent Efforts

Antonee Robinson (Fulham): Returned from injury to feature regularly, though couldn’t quite recapture his 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year form. Still, a solid comeback season overall.

Alex Freeman (Villarreal): Took time to break into the team but made the most of his minutes once given a chance. Signs of promise ahead of next season.

Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen): Mixed results in his debut campaign. Scored six goals but registered no assists. Still, a decent first step after moving up from PSV.

Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena): A regular in Serie B before suffering a serious neck injury. A tough setback after earning a brief USMNT call-up earlier in the year.

Kristoffer Lund (Koln): Impressed in his first Bundesliga season, proving to be a consistent starter. His strong loan spell could open new opportunities.

Could Have Been Better

Tanner Tessmann (Lyon): Began well but faded as the season progressed. Lost his starting spot and then got injured late on, missing out on World Cup selection.

Noahkai Banks (Augsburg): Earned a USMNT call-up in autumn but later saw his form dip. After considering Germany’s interest, his club minutes dried up completely by season’s end.

James Sands (St. Pauli): St. Pauli’s relegation overshadowed his solid play. Injury kept him sidelined for the final two months, compounding a disappointing end.

Poor Seasons

Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach): Another year with limited club impact — just four starts and one goal. His talent still secured him a USMNT place, but his club stagnation continues.

Yunus Musah (AC Milan): Missed the Gold Cup and struggled to reclaim his USMNT spot due to scarce playing time at Atalanta. His career trajectory now faces a critical moment.

Benjamin Cremaschi (Parma): A promising loan move from Inter Miami ended badly with a meniscus injury after minimal minutes on the field.

Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic): An early-season injury derailed his campaign and ruled him out of the World Cup. A major disappointment for the usually dependable defender.

Damion Downs (Hamburg): A failed move to Southampton followed by an unproductive loan back to Hamburg cost Downs a year of development and a shot at the World Cup.

Cole Campbell (Hoffenheim): Began the season tipped for a breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund but ended up struggling for game time at Hoffenheim, playing even less than last year.

Lennard Maloney (Mainz): Barely featured this season, logging just 472 minutes and four starts, none in 2026. Clearly not part of Mainz’s plans moving forward.