USMNT's Johnny Cardoso helps Atlético advance, setting up Barcelona clash in Champions League Two American players have reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, with both representing La Liga clubs set to face each other in a historic matchup next month. Johnny Cardoso played a key role as Atlético Madrid progressed past Tottenham Hotspur despite losing the second leg of their tie, while 19-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen watched from the bench as Barcelona dominated Newcastle in a dramatic second-leg victory. The Spanish clubs will meet in a two-leg quarterfinal series starting April 7 in Barcelona and concluding a week later in Madrid. Cardoso, a 24-year-old defensive midfielder, started his third consecutive Champions League match for Atlético. The team fell to Tottenham 3-2 in London but advanced 7-5 on aggregate. Cardoso was named to the U.S. national team’s training camp and friendlies this month, marking his third appearance in the competition. Meanwhile, Kochen, a Miami native set to turn 20, remained on the sidelines for Barcelona’s emphatic 7-2 win over Newcastle, which gave the Catalan side an 8-3 aggregate advantage. Kochen, Barcelona’s third-choice goalkeeper, has yet to make a first-team appearance this season. A product of the club’s academy, he signed a professional contract in 2022 and was promoted to the senior squad after playing for the B team in the third division last season. Though eligible for Peru and Venezuela, Kochen has been a regular with the U.S. youth teams and was called up to the senior squad in 2024. He was initially expected to start at the Under-20 World Cup but was recalled due to injury concerns within Barcelona’s squad. Cardoso and Kochen are the final two U.S. players remaining from the 36-team league phase of the competition.#barcelona #atltico_madrid #uefa_champions_league #johnny_cardoso #diego_kochen
