Johnny Cardoso has become the fourth American to feature in a Champions League semifinal. The midfielder played 87 minutes in Atletico Madrid’s match against Arsenal. Cardoso’s performance arrives as he aims to solidify his place in the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) squad for the World Cup.
Cardoso Joins Exclusive USMNT Champions League Club
Only three other Americans have played in a Champions League semifinal before Cardoso. They are DaMarcus Beasley, Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic. Cardoso’s appearance for Atleti places him in rarefied air for American soccer players.
World Cup Roster Spot Far From Guaranteed
Despite playing in the Champions League, Cardoso’s spot on the USMNT World Cup roster is not assured. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that performance will determine the final roster. Cardoso needs to compete with players such as Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan and Aidan Morris. All three have recently delivered in a USMNT shirt.
Cardoso understood that simply starting the Champions League semifinal was not enough. He needed to deliver a memorable performance to boost his World Cup chances. He managed to do just that, with his recent form described as “cooking”.
Replacing Key Player in Tense Fixture
Cardoso was a late replacement for Spanish midfielder Pablo Barrios, who suffered a hamstring injury. Barrios is known for his passing, while Cardoso is more defensive. Atleti’s game plan depended on Cardoso’s ability to offer both passing and defensive skills. He needed to replicate Barrios’s passing rhythm while maintaining his defensive grit.
Atletico Madrid’s Champions League Ambitions
Atletico Madrid are 25 points behind Barcelona in the Spanish league. The Champions League is all Atleti has left to play for this season. The club is aiming to make the most of it and haven’t reached a Champions League final in ten years. That was when they lost to Real Madrid on penalties. Atleti are hungry for their first Champions League title.
Cardoso’s less-than-stellar history added to the pressure he faced before the match.