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The international break is done. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-au/lists/mauricio-pochettino-usmnt-tactics/blt2299045aaa5c6c6b" target="_blank">Mauricio Pochettino is now, finally, officially, definitively the USMNT manager</a>. The Champions League is here. Soccer has returned, again.And there's quite a bit to unpack. A strong American contingent played in Europe's marquee competition on Tuesday - to admittedly mixed results. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/weston-mckennie-scores-close-juventus-champions-league-psv/blt472a9802a9dea327" target="_blank">Weston McKennie may have done a job for Juventus in the Champions League</a>, but his regular inclusion for the Italian giants remains in doubt. And who can actually win this thing (outside, of course, Real Madrid)?It's also worth looking forward for the USMNT. Pochettino may be managing this team now, but there remain questions as to how exactly he can test them ahead of the 2026 World Cup.<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>Throw in the Premier League, another mad weekend of MLS, and the chaos has returned. Our GOAL US writers break it all down in the latest edition of... The Rondo.

The Rondo: USMNT friendlies, Champions League intrigue, what's up with Weston McKennie?

LaLiga

Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid

Tom HIndle: Wouldn't it be nice to know? It seemed certain that the midfielder was going to leave Juventus last summer, but inexplicably stuck around - and coach Thiago Motta doesn't really seem to know how to use him. Sure the midfielder took his chance in the Champions League Tuesday night, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/weston-mckennie-scores-close-juventus-champions-league-psv/blt472a9802a9dea327" target="_blank">scored a nice goal</a>, and enjoyed some promising spells on the ball. But let's be honest, he probably should have moved on. Everything now just sort of feels like an audition for wherever he wants to go next.Jacob Schneider: Starting in the UCL opener doesn't guarantee anything for the remainder of the season, but it's a good building block towards what appears to be a positive relationship being built with Motta. He needs regular minutes if he's to pick up where he left off last season after a career campaign with the Bianconeri, though.Ryan Tolmich: Juventus have to be messing with us at this point, right? Every time they try to move on from McKennie, he comes back with a vengeance. You'd think they'd have learned by now. McKennie seems motivated and ready to contribute, which is great news for both the USMNT and Juventus.

What's up with Weston McKennie?

TH: Slim pickings, in the end, wasn't it? McKennie started really well, grabbed a goal, but faded. Malik Tillman never really got involved for PSV. But Christian Pulisic looked pretty good throughout, full of energy on the wing - and he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/video-christian-pulisic-usmnt-ac-milan-liverpool/blt215145584c9cd229" target="_blank">took his goal wonderfully</a>. Milan haven't quite pieced it together this year, but Pulisic is already in a groove for club and country.JS: Either Pulisic or McKennie are valid suggestions here, but was really impressed with how Wes came out of the gates with energy. He looked as though he hasn't missed a step, and he truly did fit in with the way they were playing, too. Of course, his goal is the cherry on top, but in his first start of the season, he looked the part - and that's the biggest takeaway.RT: It really is cool, isn't it? It was just a win across the board. After years of watching sketchy streams to catch a glimpse of an American playing at decent levels, you can now tune in and see <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/juventus-psv-champions-league-weston-mckennie-malik-tillman-tim-weah/blt07a99133e2cb5955" target="_self">five Americans playing in one Champions League game.</a> These are the moments that inspire a generation to believe that they, too, can achieve that, and the more kids that believe that, the better the American game will be.

Who was the best American performer in the UCL on Tuesday?

TH: Liverpool. It probably won't happen - there are at least four teams in the competition better than big Arnie's Reds. But a little belief never hurt anyone.JS: Going to be lame and say Real Madrid, sorry. They're too good, even if their attack isn't really cohesive yet. A midfield with Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde, above Aurelien Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga is outrageous. Add in players such as Rudiger, Militao and Courtois, too? Come on. A potential contender might be Bayern Munich, but it's hard to see Harry Kane overcoming the shadow of his past performances in big matches.RT: Real Madrid, no doubt. Teams, not individuals, win trophies, but these individuals are really damn good. There's no coach better at turning individuals into a team than Carlo Ancelotti and there's no club better at doing that than Real Madrid. They'll be fine at the start, and they'll be a juggernaut come spring.

Who’s your pick to win the Champions League?

TH: Ideally, but sometimes it's not really all that workable. Sure, it would be great for the USMNT to test themselves against the best teams every international window. Fans, too, would likely enjoy regular friendlies between the U.S. and top European sides every few months. The issue is, it probably won't ever really happen. Nations League games are what they are, while most football federations worldwide are reluctant to send their countries out to play incredibly high-intensity contests. In an ideal world, it's Spain, England and France. More realistically, get ready for more humid nights in San Salvador, or frigid ones in Columbus.JS: Absolutely. You cannot expect to compete in the 2026 World Cup if you only play against CONCACAF - or similar - competition each window. You need more friendlies like the Germany one last fall, Colombia and Brazil pre-Copa. Continue testing your roster, try and elevate the team.RT: Of course. Tough games will be hard to come by but, after the September window, it may be time to rethink the definition of "difficult". Right now, the USMNT needs to get on track and rediscover that intensity and drive. The October window will provide a good test as they look for revenge against Panama - which <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-player-ratings-panama-tim-weah-copa-america/blt61a0435e6aeea420" target="_blank">beat the U.S. in Copa America</a> - ahead of a rivalry game vs Mexico. After that, let's see what Pochettino can schedule.

Does the USMNT need more difficult friendlies ahead of the World Cup?

The Rondo: USMNT friendlies, Champions League intrigue, what's up with Weston McKennie? | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

GOAL US discuss USMNT&apos;s historic Champions League presence, McKennie&apos;s future, and friendly slate