Ricardo Pepi's PSV fighting for UCL survival, Christian Pulisic's AC Milan chasing top-8: What's at stake for Americans Abroad in Champions League matchday

Current standings: 6th

Next opponent: Dinamo Zagreb

What they need to do to qualify: Three points against Zagreb would automatically send the Rossoneri through to the Round of 16. A draw could potentially be enough, but it would rely on other matches going their way, too. A loss would likely see them drop into the playoffs.

Can be eliminated if: N/A

How USMNT players have performed: Pulisic has excelled in the competition, with three goals and one assist in six matches. Musah, meanwhile, has made five appearances, playing 292 minutes while recording an average passing percentage of 84 percent.

Current standings: 17th place, 12 points

Next opponent: Benfica

What they need to do to qualify: To qualify for a spot in the top eight, the Bianconeri must beat Benfica, but that is not enough. They will also need 10 of the 12 teams placed 5-16 to not get three points to find themselves with an automatic berth into the knockouts. Juventus are already confirmed to be in the knockout phase.

Can be eliminated if: N/A

How USMNT players have performed: Weah and McKennie have been regular contributors for the club in the UCL this season, with McKennie scoring twice in six appearances and Weah notching one assist in two starts, but six total appearances.

Current standings: 10th, 13 points

Next opponent: Inter Milan

What they need to do to qualify: Three points could potentially see them move into the top eight, but they would need a team already occupying a spot to fall on Matchday 8. Mathematically, a victory by at least a two-goal margin would see them move above Inter Milan, which would almost guarantee a top eight finish. However, a win by a single goal would see them finish below their Italian opposition in the standings, meaning that they'd require at least four of the other six clubs on 13 and 14 points not to win.

Regardless of the result on MD8, they are assured a playoff spot at minimum, meaning they have already booked their spot into the knockout round.

Can be eliminated if: N/A

How USMNT players have performed: Balogun has been sidelined since November with a shoulder injury, and he recently underwent surgery. It is still unknown when he will return, although the expectation is early April.

Current standings: 18th, 12 points

Next opponent: Aston Villa

What they need to do to qualify: The mighty Scottish side have already secured a berth into the knockout round of the competition, and cannot be eliminated as a result. However, sitting at 12 points, it is highly unlikely they move into the top eight for an automatic berth into the knockouts. To achieve that, they would need 10 clubs positioned between fifth and 17th not to win.

Can be eliminated if: N/A

How USMNT players have performed: Carter-Vickers and Trusty have formed a formidable partnership in central defense, with Carter-Vickers logging five starts and Trusty, with seven, appearing in each match. Together, they've earned two clean sheets, while Trusty has earned three.

Current standings: 14th, 12 points

Next opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk

What they need to do to qualify: BVB are assured a playoff place heading into their Group Stage finale, but a top-eight finish is highly unlikely. Even if BVB beats Shakhtar, they'd need at least four of the nine clubs on 13 to 15 points not to win, and three of those clubs - Atletico Madrid (fifth), AC Milan (sixth) and Atalanta (seventh) - could draw, earning one point, and still finish above Dortmund.

Can be eliminated if: N/A

How USMNT players have performed: Reyna has made three appearances including one start, accumulating 166 minutes. However, he has yet to find the scoresheet in European action for the Black and Yellow this season.

Current standings: 19th, 12 points

Next opponent: Liverpool

What they need to do to qualify: They are not guaranteed a spot in the knockouts, but it would take a lot of dominoes to fall - even if they lose - for PSV to exit the competition. If they manage a draw or a win, they're in.

Can be eliminated if: With a +5 goal-differential ahead of Club Brugge, who sit beneath them, it would take a remarkable loss, or a massive win for Dinamo Zagreb against Milan, along with those same results for Stuttgart vs. PSG, Benfica, and Sporting for the Dutch side to be eliminated.

How USMNT players have performed: Pepi has excelled domestically for PSV this season but hasn't been able to replicate that in Europe, making six appearances with zero starts. However, he has one goal during that span. Tillman, meanwhile, scored three goals and recorded two assists, but now joins Dest on the sideline for the foreseeable future due to injury. Lastly, Ledezma has become a role player, making two starts in six total appearances.

On Thursday, Tessmann and Olympique Lyon are in action in the UEFA Europa League, hosting Bulgarian side PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. Sitting fifth in the table, a victory against the minnows, who sit 33rd in the standings, sees them through straight to the Round of 16. However, if they somehow fall, they are still guaranteed a spot in the knockouts.

In the UEFA Conference League, Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis have already advanced to the knockout stage, and are back in action in the competition on Feb. 13 against Genk.