Cardoso, Bello among Americans to learn Europa, Conference League schedules
08/30/2024 11:52 AM
The 2024-25 UEFA Europa and Conference League schedules are now set.
UEFA revealed the league phase schedules on Friday in Switzerland for both competitions. Tanner Tessmann and Jonathan Gomez will be part of the Europa League tournament while Johnny Cardoso, George Bello, Lennard Maloney, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Matthew Olosunde are part of the Conference League this year.
Each Europa League team will play eight matches (four at home, four away) respectively in the league phase, being paired with four additional opponents. Each Conference League team will play six matches (three at home, three away) respectively.
The top eight ranked teams will receive a bye to the Round of 16, while the teams ranked from ninth to 24th will contest the knockout phase play-offs to secure a Round of 16 berth. Clubs ranked No. 25 and lower will be eliminated from European competition.
Tessmann, who joined Lyon this summer from Venezia, will make his European debut in the competition. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder was key in Venezia earning promotion back to Serie A.
Gomez made the move to Greek side PAOK Salonika this summer from Real Sociedad. The left back spent last season on loan with CD Mirandes before making the permanent move to Greece.
Cardoso remains with La Liga side Real Betis despite European interest elsewhere this summer. The USMNT midfielder recently featured in Betis’ qualifying win over Ukrainian side FC Kryvbas.
Bello has continued to be a consistent starter for Austrian Bundesliga club LASK. The former Atlanta United homegrown will return to European competition after featuring in the Europa League last season.
Maloney helped Bundesliga side Heidenheim to their first-ever European spot following an eighth-place finish in Germany. The USMNT midfielder has started in each of Heidenheim’s matches this season.
Palmer-Brown remains with Greek side Panathinaikos and will hope to get back to consistent playing after an injury plagued 2023-24.
Olosunde joined Welsh side The New Saints last spring and helped them become the first-ever Welsh first division club to reach a European group stage.
League phase play for both competitions begin September 25-26.
A full breakdown of the schedules for the Europa League and Conference League can be found on the UEFA website here.
Here is a list of the league phase schedules for each American player:
Tanner Tessmann: vs. Eintracht Frankfurt, at Rangers, vs. Olympiakos, at Fenerbahce, vs. Ludogorets Razgrad, at Qarabag, vs. Besiktas, at Hoffenheim.
Jonathan Gomez: vs. Slavia Praha, at Manchester United, vs. Ferencvaros, at Real Sociedad, vs. Viktoria Plzen, at Galatasaray, vs. FCSB, at RFS.
Johnny Cardoso: vs. FC Kobenhaven, at Legia Warsaw, vs. HJK Helsinki, at Mlada Boleslav, at Petrocub, vs. Cejle.
George Bello: at Fiorentina, vs. Djurgarden, at Olimpija, vs. Cercle Brugge, at Borac, vs. Vikingur R.
Lennard Maloney: vs. Chelsea, at Istanbul Basaksehir, vs. Olimpija, at Hearts, vs. St. Gallen, at Pafos FC.
Erik Palmer-Brown: vs. Chelsea, at Djurgarden, vs. HJK Helsinki, at The New Saints, at Borac, vs. Dinamo Minsk.
Matthew Olosunde: at Fiorentina, vs. Djurgarden, vs. Astana, at Shamrock Rovers, vs. Panathinaikos, at Celje.
