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On Wednesday night, 24-year-old U.S. international Johnny Cardoso etched his name into the history books and joined an elite club among American soccer’s greats.
After seeing just 60 seconds of action in the decisive quarter-final match against Barcelona, Cardoso was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.
In doing so, the New Jersey-born star became just the third American to start a semifinal match in the world’s most prestigious club competition.
Born in the United States but raised in Brazil, the midfielder provided the steel and composure Atlético needed against the high-flying Gunners attack. He joins an ultra-exclusive club of Americans who have reached this height, trailing only players like Christian Pulisic.
While Cardoso did not find the back of the net to equal Pulisic’s famous goalscoring record in the semi-finals, his presence allowed Atlético to recover in a game that seemed to be slipping away in the first half.
Griezmann’s last dance in Madrid
Antoine Griezmann took advantage of his last home game against Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League this Wednesday.
Griezmann did not score despite having some good opportunities, but led Atlético’s attack alongside Julián Álvarez and was named most valuable player of the match after the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the semi-finals.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t find the net,” said Griezmann, who will join MLS side Orlando City this summer. “But it will surely happen in the second leg. We all made a great effort.”
Griezmann’s best chance at the Metropolitano was a shot in the second half that hit the crossbar. He also came close with a shot from inside the area.
Griezmann, 35, missed a penalty in the 2016 Champions League final that Atlético lost to Real Madrid.
“We want to reach the final,” Griezmann said. “It’s my dream. I’ve prepared a lot for this match and the one we’ll have in London, and I hope we can reach the final.”
The French playmaker said that Atlético deserved a better result after improving in the second half at the Metropolitano.
“The bad minutes we played in the first half hurt a little,” Griezmann said. “We fixed a couple of things tactically for the second half and we were able to press better and move better. The fans kept pressing and that helped too.”
Griezmann is Atlético’s all-time top scorer, but his minutes have been managed by coach Diego Simeone this season. He has spent 10 seasons at Atlético. He also played for Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
“We all want to reach the final,” said Atlético midfielder Koke Resurrección, “and I hope the London match is not the last for Griezmann in this competition.”
