The 2024-25 Women’s Champions League group stage is upon us, and there are a handful of teams boasting American players including several USWNT stars.
The tournament, called the UEFA Women’s Cup until rebranding in 2009, will see 16 teams across four groups compete to reach the quarterfinals by finishing first or second in Groups A-D.
The American players are spread between favorites and underdogs and are names both familiar and lesser-known.
[ MORE: Chelsea’s Bright, Arsenal’s Fox unsurprised by Emma Hayes’ USWNT success ]
Scottish giants Celtic have four of the latter. Florida Gators export Kit Loferski, Virginia graduate Hana Kerner, Harvard product Murphy Agnew, and UAB goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty. They’ll have to rise above two of Twente, Real Madrid, and Celtic to reach the knockout rounds.
Chelsea have USWNT star Catarina Macario and powerful striker Mia Fishel in the side, as the Blues are in a bid to ‘win everything’ this season.
Lyon are among the favorites to win Group A and the tournament, as USWNT captain Lindsey Horan and Seattle Reign loanee Sofia Huerta look top a group with Wolfsburg, Roma, and Galatasaray.
Group C have a trio of American players, led by Arsenal’s USWNT right back Emily Fox. The Gunners will play Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Valerenga twice, with the Norwegian side boasting two players in Oslo. Michaela Kovacs came from Michigan State University, while goalkeeper Jalen Tompkins was a student-athlete star at Colorado.
Women’s Champions League dates: Group stage fixtures and knockout round draw
The Women’s Champions League group stage will begin October 8 and run six matchdays through December 18.
The knockout round draw will be held on Feb. 7, with the quarterfinals to be played March 18-19 and 26-27.
The semifinals will be played April 19-20 and 26-27.
When and where is the Women’s Champions League Final?
The final will be played at Sporting Lisbon’s Estadio Jose Alvarade in Lisbon on either May 23, 24, or 25.
Women’s Champions League winners, all-time
UEFA Women’s Cup era (2001-2009)
2001-02: Frankfurt (Germany)
2002-03: Umea (Sweden)
2003-04: Umea
2004-05: Turbine Potsdam (Germany)
2005-06: Frankfurt
2006-07: Arsenal (England)
2007-08: Frankfurt
2008-09: FCR Duisburg (Germany)
UEFA Women’s Champions League era (2009-present)
2009-10: Turbine Potsdam
2010-11: Lyon (France)
2011-12: Lyon
2012-13: Wolfsburg (Germany)
2013-14: Wolfsburg
2014-15: Frankfurt
2015-16: Lyon
2016-17: Lyon
2017-18: Lyon
2018-19: Lyon
2020-21: Barcelona (Spain)
2021-22: Lyon
2022-23: Barcelona
2023-24: Barcelona
